Barlows Equipment

[bucktaker]

Sorry John Thomas but its true at least it mirrors my experience as well.
And Yes I did stop in twice and yes I saw them eating in the at the plastic table and they didnt think
It was important enough to take care of a customer.
Not knocking them but relaying my experience in 2010-2011 time frame.

 

[phiferpharm]

JT may want to look at the comments made by RollingFarms concerning the car dealership comment. I think that was NOT made about Barlows..

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Sorry John Thomas but its true at least it mirrors my experience as well.
And Yes I did stop in twice and yes I saw them eating in the at the plastic table and they didnt think
It was important enough to take care of a customer.
Not knocking them but relaying my experience in 2010-2011 time frame.

I've observed what your saying about ignoring customers and even experienced it. The people at the table don't take care of customers, not their job. Bad way to do it, yes, and they now have the table moved into a new add on so customers will not see the mechanics, parts man and delivery drivers eating lunch.
As far as cheap, stripped machines and higher prices for implements and other add ons and cheap (Gatormade) trailers I disagree, totally. There are dealers in Ar that sell package deals as described but I've never seen Barlows offer/advertise a package deal, not saying they haven't but saying I've never seen it. As someone that has bought 16 Kubotas from them I disagree with this portrayal of Barlows except for the customer service aspect described above. Not trying to be argumentative but expressing my actual experience and the portrayal as being anything like a car dealership is, well, wild to me. You can't get help is more the complaint than having sales people crawl all over you with wild claims and promotions.
Kubota has an annual advertising promotion which Barlows participates in (probably has to being a franchise) and I've some times been there when it is going on and eat a hot dog/hamburger/barbeque and register for a door prize but I doubt Steve Barlow would even do it on his own, he's just not that type person. Even during the promotions there are no other helpers there. Steve Barlow is the owner and handles all sales transactions or not. Jamey does some on lot sales and local delivery when not driving the school bus. Brady is in Lexington and has always been in Lexington currently involved in other interests.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I have been kicking around buying an MX4700 2wd and wanted to see what Barlows could do since I've heard so much about them. I called Friday and Brady wasn't in and another man took my message and I still haven't recieved a call back. I also emailed them this morning and still no response. Anyone know what's going on?

Well this isn't the first time I've tried to do business with them. Few years ago I asked for a quote via email and never recieved one. I just chalked it up to they didn't get it or something and I never followed it up. Well this time I followed up my call with an email(filled out the name your price thing on the website). Nothing. I was told Brady wasn't in Friday when I called so that's why I emailed, figured he'd check that. Wonder why so many people have had good luck with them but I can't seem to? I'm an easy customer to please too!

Well the thing about that dealership I mentioned is they are famous for their "package deals". In other words you get bare bones tractor, light duty bucket, crappy implements, crappy trailer to haul it all on that's way over loaded, and they slap on a cheap price and people go wild thinking they're getting a great deal when in reality they aren't. I think they're running some promotion now where you get a free Yeti cooler or a something else with your purchase. Just screams car dealership to me. Say you want to load the rear tires or add a canopy or something, that's where they get you. Most dealers discount that or throw it in but these people will charge you out the wazoo.

My experience with them is Steve makes the decisions and he doesn't get in a hurry. I spoke with him a couple of weeks ago and he was extremely busy, people standing around waiting and phones ringing. Maybe he needs help. Brady has other interests now. Steve told me he will give prices on equipment and still deliver but at this time of the year he doesn't have time to teach and answer lots of questions with actual buyers standing there to deal with. Brady, I guess did this but not Steve.
I hate going into a business, Auto Parts for one good example and have to stand around for an hour while the parts counterman answers 10 phone calls and gives prices, etc. It's just the way it's done but I still get aggravated by it. I order most "stuff" on the internet because of this way most businesses operate. Steve will take care of an on site customer before he answers phone calls, watched it happen often and me being the on site customer I appreciate it. If he's not there I could stand around 30 minutes before anyone might ask me what I want and then tell me he's not there. Best business practice, I don't know, would I do it that way, probably not but not my business, just a satisfied customer. Doubt Steve even does email and sure he won't drop everything to answer it or phone calls. Busy place, lots of on hand customers. Times money.

 

[newbury]

You won't get Brady on the phone at that number. Maybe Steve



Have you bought from them before? I've bought 16 Kubotas from them and none of what you say here is true from my experience. Just because they haven't jumped immediately to help you is no reason to make up stories and imply/say they are fact from actual experience. Car dealership atmosphere:shocked: Barlows :shocked: Have you ever been there? I have many times and the mechanics, owner, parts man and customers ate out front on a plastic table beside the Coke machine with greasy hands and hay on them

I've observed what your saying about ignoring customers and even experienced it. The people at the table don't take care of customers, not their job. Bad way to do it, yes, and they now have the table moved into a new add on so customers will not see the mechanics, parts man and delivery drivers eating lunch.
As far as cheap, stripped machines and higher prices for implements and other add ons and cheap (Gatormade) trailers I disagree, totally. There are dealers in Ar that sell package deals as described but I've never seen Barlows offer/advertise a package deal, not saying they haven't but saying I've never seen it. As someone that has bought 16 Kubotas from them I disagree with this portrayal of Barlows except for the customer service aspect described above. Not trying to be argumentative but expressing my actual experience and the portrayal as being anything like a car dealership is, well, wild to me. You can't get help is more the complaint than having sales people crawl all over you with wild claims and promotions.
Kubota has an annual advertising promotion which Barlows participates in (probably has to being a franchise) and I've some times been there when it is going on and eat a hot dog/hamburger/barbeque and register for a door prize but I doubt Steve Barlow would even do it on his own, he's just not that type person. Even during the promotions there are no other helpers there. Steve Barlow is the owner and handles all sales transactions or not. Jamey does some on lot sales and local delivery when not driving the school bus. Brady is in Lexington and has always been in Lexington currently involved in other interests.

John, reread the thread, he wrote about another dealer!

I've dealt with Barlows a couple of times via email.
I firmly believe they are the key to me finding bargains.
Each time I found my "bargain" just as I was about to buy from them.
The last time I wrote was January 2013, before I found my M4700. I was about to buy an L4630 from them and have it delivered to Fulton. Brady went back and forth with me sending me pictures of various tractors he had on his lot. But then I found my M4700.

 

[Tompet]

John, reread the thread, he wrote about another dealer!

Yes, John Thomas please reread thread. No one accused Barlow's of car dealer atmosphere or cheap package deals! That was a reference and exchange about a local dealer by the op and why he doesn't want to deal with them. The op was just explaining a little more fully why he didn't want to deal with the other (not Barlow's) dealer.

In the past it seemed it was only Brady handling internet sales with his dad mostly dealing locally. I am sure the amount of communication required between them and customers was crazy. I did ask him a couple of years ago how many daily emails he received on sales and other questions and he said about 200 a day, and thank goodness for smart phones.

One other thing is Brady lives in another community and is not onsite at the business very often.

Like I said this business has apparently changed but they had quite a run and should be pleased.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

John, reread the thread, he wrote about another dealer!

Yes, John Thomas please reread thread. No one accused Barlow's of car dealer atmosphere or cheap package deals! That was a reference and exchange about a local dealer by the op and why he doesn't want to deal with them. The op was just explaining a little more fully why he didn't want to deal with the other (not Barlow's) dealer.

Reread and see where I losy track of the different dealerships. I got confused again. Sorry I didn't read correctly

In the past it seemed it was only Brady handling internet sales with his dad mostly dealing locally. I am sure the amount of communication required between them and customers was crazy. I did ask him a couple of years ago how many daily emails he received on sales and other questions and he said about 200 a day, and thank goodness for smart phones.

There are also lots and lots of phone calls with lots and lots of questions

One other thing is Brady lives in another community and is not onsite at the business very often.
)

Like I said this business has apparently changed but they had quite a run and should be pleased.

[/has apparently changed B] true concerning internet sales (Brady).

 

[newbury]

However, based on my dealings with Barlows, but mostly many other reports here, I would accuse them of package deals (tractor and attachments) well below the price of other dealers. Now many may call that "bargain" package deals, some may call it "inexpensive" package deals and some might even call it "cheap", but only in reference to price, not quality.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

However, based on my dealings with Barlows, but mostly many other reports here, I would accuse them of package deals (tractor and attachments) well below the price of other dealers. Now many may call that "bargain" package deals, some may call it "inexpensive" package deals and some might even call it "cheap", but only in reference to price, not quality.

There is a dealer, maybe more than one, that does "package" deals. The dealer makes up the "package" and prices it with, from what I've seen are bottom end items, base utility tractors, cheap trailers and cheap brand implements.
As far as I've seen, heard or read, Barlows has never done this type "package"deal. Barlows "package" deal is customer picks all contents, from trailer (I think Barlows only sells Gatormade in new trailers), Kubota tractor model (unless buying one of their used tractors/RTVs/Mowers) and implements of customers choice (Landpride and some other brands) then Barlows gives the bottom line price on the lot or delivered (Delivery being higher for obvious reasons).
I've seen some of this and the price given is the regular price per item with no discount for adding it together. There is a savings with all being delivered at one time and some implements can be added to the 0% Kubota financing which is a part of the "package" deal incentive for some.
I priced my first tractor at Barlows 11 years ago. Wasn't impressed until I compared pricing and then became impressed. Compared prices a couple of times on later purchases and Barlows was always so much lower to end my comparison price shopping now. Don't tell Steve.
If one doesn't have to have immediate drop every thing your doing service then I think Barlows is or can be a good place to shop. I don't farm but respect those who do and their need for "stuff" yesterday or lose much money during farming season which is also the dealers busiest time. Can I accept waiting for my landscaping tractor to be fixed while a farmers tractor is being worked on, won't like it but yes I can understand ..... to a certain point, I am a good regular customer.

 

[BlacknTan]

There is a dealer, maybe more than one, that does "package" deals. The dealer makes up the "package" and prices it with, from what I've seen are bottom end items, base utility tractors, cheap trailers and cheap brand implements.
As far as I've seen, heard or read, Barlows has never done this type "package"deal. Barlows "package" deal is customer picks all contents, from trailer (I think Barlows only sells Gatormade in new trailers), Kubota tractor model (unless buying one of their used tractors/RTVs/Mowers) and implements of customers choice (Landpride and some other brands) then Barlows gives the bottom line price on the lot or delivered (Delivery being higher for obvious reasons).
I've seen some of this and the price given is the regular price per item with no discount for adding it together. There is a savings with all being delivered at one time and some implements can be added to the 0% Kubota financing which is a part of the "package" deal incentive for some.
I priced my first tractor at Barlows 11 years ago. Wasn't impressed until I compared pricing and then became impressed. Compared prices a couple of times on later purchases and Barlows was always so much lower to end my comparison price shopping now. Don't tell Steve.
If one doesn't have to have immediate drop every thing your doing service then I think Barlows is or can be a good place to shop. I don't farm but respect those who do and their need for "stuff" yesterday or lose much money during farming season which is also the dealers busiest time. Can I accept waiting for my landscaping tractor to be fixed while a farmers tractor is being worked on, won't like it but yes I can understand ..... to a certain point, I am a good regular customer.

Good regular customer?? 16 tractors??

Are you on the payroll?? Or any other consideration for pushing this company so hard??