Buying Advice Cabela's selling Compact Tractors

[Not a member]

Wow, some of you are being unnecessarily harsh. I appreciate that someone who actually had answers came on here and posted correct info about Cabelas tractors and implements, instead of all the guessing and speculation that went on before. No reason to knock the guy because he likes his job and takes pride in it.

I agree!

 

[AroniaFarmer]

I have been following this thread since I found it in the feed and this is just getting out of hand. Cabelas is selling a line of compacts now, probably because they know a lot of the business comes from people who just own a few acres and could use a tractor for odd jobs. This is what I think. I don't see any big farmers buying these. They would go buy a TYM if they wanted one. I Own a TYM t603 (60 horse) tractor with cab. It's a quality tractor for sure! I don't putz around on it either It gets worked hard. And it holds it place. Why does this have to be so complicated? I think these tractors are as just as good as kubota or jd. They price them what they want to price them... Why care?

 

[daugen]

Cabela's is a retailer. If it doesn't make them money pretty quick it will be forgotten and done with in the same fashion.

now what happened to if it doesn't work, improve it and try again? Joe, you are being too pessimistic. The product is good. The company is good.
That's a very good start. Do I think they will set the world on fire? No, but I don't think they are trying to.
And since I owned a retail electronics business for five years in my home town and had to compete against Crazy Eddie (remember him?) pricing, which was close
to my cost, I understand how improving the buyer experience can create a very strong repeat customer base. And allowed a livable margin.
So Cabela is going to have to do something a little different, that's what I meant before, or they won't sell many tractors because
of the inescapable need to mark up a product that has already had profit built into it.

To our "new" member from Cabela's, thank you and good luck. The more the merrier if everyone is happy.

 

[TSO]

For what it's worth, I've been a TBN member and contributor for many years, but had to create a new ID as my brand affiliation changed with my new role..

Since you've stated this twice already, would you care to share your previous identity?

 

[94BULLITT]

Agreed. and their wives will give them camo underwear for Christmas, and it will cost double the normal Hanes.
Good old fashioned marketing. It worked for Ford Explorers, it will work for Cabela. Personally I think they will get hammered on price and will have to add
something to up the value. Like an added warranty, free pickup, something to differentiate themselves other than a paint job.
Having a competent marketing infrastructure already in place is a huge advantage for Cabela's, and yes, working on boats does mean they know how to run a service dept. Maybe the boat end worked so well they figured on branching out into tractors. Just another consumer product to a big company.

Just hard to believe they will sell well in an area with existing dealers who are all trying to market a tractor at a price point below the
top two or three. Will be interesting to see how they do and what models work best for them.

The Ford Explorers were a top of the line model in their day, that is why they were more.

I don't see enough differences in the Cabelas tractors to justify such a price increase. It looks like they are more than the comparable Kubota.

 

[The Tractor Guy]

Since you've stated this twice already, would you care to share your previous identity?

No, it really would not be helpful because it would lead to comments about "changing horses" and I think the focus should be on the product and not the people. You can see how things get off the tracks quickly when someone sees something they don't necessarily agree with. What I can tell you is that I have been on the OEM side of the business for 20 years; I now own my own equipment consulting company and am advising Cabela's about the important things that need to be in place in order to be successful. Quality product, great parts & service support, a focus on customer service, competitive pricing and stablility. The irony of those that question Cabela's commitment to this new business is that we all know that many brands move in and out of dealerships, and countless customers have been left holding the bag over the years. That some want to put Cabela's in that same category is not seeing the difference between a company with an iconic brand, that dares to put that iconic brand on the tractors they offer, not to mention putting it alongside of the Woods name, as they would those that have not made that kind of commitment. The Cabela's name is not on the tractors as a way to get people to pay more, it is on them as a statement of quality and customer service, and that is how they became the company that they are.

 

[94BULLITT]

The Cabela's name is not on the tractors as a way to get people to pay more, it is on them as a statement of quality and customer service, and that is how they became the company that they are.

You should not have to pay for customer service.

Why Cabelas choose TYM?
Did they test the tractors any before making the decision?

 

[murphy1244]

No, it really would not be helpful because it would lead to comments about "changing horses" and I think the focus should be on the product and not the people. You can see how things get off the tracks quickly when someone sees something they don't necessarily agree with. What I can tell you is that I have been on the OEM side of the business for 20 years; I now own my own equipment consulting company and am advising Cabela's about the important things that need to be in place in order to be successful. Quality product, great parts & service support, a focus on customer service, competitive pricing and stablility. The irony of those that question Cabela's commitment to this new business is that we all know that many brands move in and out of dealerships, and countless customers have been left holding the bag over the years. That some want to put Cabela's in that same category is not seeing the difference between a company with an iconic brand, that dares to put that iconic brand on the tractors they offer, not to mention putting it alongside of the Woods name, as they would those that have not made that kind of commitment. The Cabela's name is not on the tractors as a way to get people to pay more, it is on them as a statement of quality and customer service, and that is how they became the company that they are.

Something like Yanmar and JD?

 

[daugen]

statement of quality and customer service, and that is how they became the company that they are.

well said.
one most consider, however, that statements of quality are often like mission statements, wordcrafted to death and
then not always followed.
you sound like you really know what you are talking about and you are not in a position to tell all.
You can only tell what that company wants us to hear. And that I think is what created the original suspicion.

Now if each Cabela's service center can deliver a Lexus quality service experience to justify the extra cost, and deliver that
high service standard consistently, with high parts availability, there is absolutely a market for that.
My local JD dealer was awful. I don't care how good the product is, if the dealer is totally unresponsive,
why spend your money there? My Kubota dealer is the polar opposite. And got my business, and new tractor sale.

Oh and say a 3 day corporate commitment to get that unit being serviced back to the
customer. Verifiable performance standards are always nice.
Cabela's is a lifestyle statement in some way, what should that mean with respect to a tractor?
A fly rod holder off the cab?

And just think how much other stuff you'll buy from them when you are in there to pick up an air filter?
maybe a nice 70mph fishing boat...
or snow shoes for next year's trek.
You won't want to leave, and that's just how they like it.

 

[The Tractor Guy]

You should not have to pay for customer service.

Why Cabelas choose TYM?
Did they test the tractors any before making the decision?

I think there has been a prevailing view on this thread that the Cabela's brand tractors and the Cabela's by Woods implements are more expensive than comparable equipment of other brands. I think that perception comes from seeing list prices, but we all know that the only way to know the actual selling price is to sit down and get a quote, just as it is with any tractor deal. Cabela's is projecting value in its name, and believes that just making up a new brand for tractors would not project anything other than a lack of confidence in the product. Surely anyone would agree that there are brands of compact tractors that command a higher price based upon the color of paint, even though when one compares spec for spec, and understands that the industrial base of compacts is and has always been Asia...Japan, Korea, India, there is no meaningful justification, other than the brand equity and the customer's confidence in the dealer having their back. Again, putting the Cabela's name on the tractors was not done to get a higher price, it was done to signal that we will stand behind the product. As for why Cabela's has partnered with Tong Yang Moolsan, it is because as almost everyone who knows the product would agree, it is a very well made tractor. Also, the Tong Yang employees are really terrific people to work with.