Dealers - How Far is Too Far

[varmint]

My viewpoint (mine, not necessarily others) is buy used, at the right price, and since I will be doing my own servicing, tinkering, etc., the money I save lets me buy a better machine than otherwise. Sure, there's a small chance this could bit me, but knock on wood, three Kubotas and no issues with them what so ever. Maybe I have spent $10,000 less overall than had I gone for brand new machines. Just have a good idea what you are getting into, and your odds are good.

 

[paulfun9]

Wait till you need parts or service, thern you will be wishing for that local dealer.

I cant remember the last time a tractor of ours went back to the dealer for anything! Wait I know why , because in the last 40 + years it hasn't happened so I would say the odds are in your favor as long as your not sucked in by all the electronic gadgets and bells and whistles that are prone to failure!

This is the first time a dealer has been close for me in at least 20 years and it doesn't really make a difference to me as now instead of ordering something I need and waiting a few days for delivery to my door I call the dealer and have to wait a few days for it to be delivered to him so I can drive down and pick it up. Actually I think it was better to just wait for the UPS truck to drop it off at my door that way I didn't have to take my time to drive to the dealership.

 

[Wagtail]

Anyways, my local dealer lends me one of their trailers to haul equipment in and back with no charge.

What a bloody good idea! Or a bloody good suggestion to put to my dealership... mind you, they've already got 3-4 mobile repair utes IOT carry out the work at 'your place' or 'in the field'. I'm heading over that way on Thursday (1.5hr drive to get there) so I'll drop in.

Which leads me to the other observation, as asked by the OP; it all depends on your own particular situation and location doesn't it. I mean, I live on an island State. There's really only one dealership for each brand (some carry multiple colours, ie: CASE carries all the different red makes) and, in a State with a population of just over 515,000, ALL of the dealerships are 'centrally' located in the... well, centre.

I suppose the same could be said for Alaska.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

because they are brainwashed by sites like these?

one good reason is because if you have any recalls or campaign updates those notifications go to the selling dealer, at a long drive away, the odds of them actually preforming those updates is awfully slim.

 

[jenkinsph]

How far is too far? That is up to the individual, if you have to travel through problem traffic it will likely be a shorter distance, if you are out in a low population density area you may need to travel farther.

Having a truck and trailer to move your equipment is another consideration, I don't know of anyone with equipment in my area that does not have their own trailer. All these equipment owners have multiple trucks too, but if you live in NY city I can see that this would be a problem and greater expense to own.
Living in the suburbs it may be cheaper in the long run to call a flatbed wrecker on the rare occasion you need to haul a dead tractor to the dealer or have the dealer pick up. My guess is that in most cases ten years of trailer tags will cost more than the transport costs by the dealer for repairs. Most tractors need very little repair at the dealers shop in my experience.

I avoid special trips to my dealers, one is 120 miles away and the other is 75 miles away. I pick up filters and fluids when I am near them and keep my consumables stocked up. If my dealers were down the street I suspect I would spend more on impulse buys, that 75 miles helps deter that.

 

[Eric102]

one good reason is because if you have any recalls or campaign updates those notifications go to the selling dealer, at a long drive away, the odds of them actually preforming those updates is awfully slim.

Yep, my local dealer (20 miles away) actually sent a mechanic to my house for campaign update on my garden tractor! Great dealer! Well worth the few bucks more I paid for the tractor over buying it out of state. They have also provided free pickup and delivery for my larger tractor the few times I've had it in their shop.

 

[ultrarunner]

I guess it is like insurance... something there if you need it.

That said, all the small tractor dealers like Kubota and Deere pulled up stakes so buying from them for future service didn't pan out.

The few things I need I buy from Messicks...

We just got a Kubota Dealer in the county... I went down to check out and they were in quite a disarray with moving in...

Did ask for pricing and no one knew... said I would check back and that was maybe 6 months ago.

 

[WilliamBos]

When you have sny newer T4 equipment, you had better have a deasler close by. You will need it when you least expect it.

I cant remember the last time a tractor of ours went back to the dealer for anything! Wait I know why , because in the last 40 + years it hasn't happened so I would say the odds are in your favor as long as your not sucked in by all the electronic gadgets and bells and whistles that are prone to failure!

This is the first time a dealer has been close for me in at least 20 years and it doesn't really make a difference to me as now instead of ordering something I need and waiting a few days for delivery to my door I call the dealer and have to wait a few days for it to be delivered to him so I can drive down and pick it up. Actually I think it was better to just wait for the UPS truck to drop it off at my door that way I didn't have to take my time to drive to the dealership.

 

[jix]

I own a new Kioti, CK2510-HST, my dealer is 35 miles away. I do not own a big trailer nor a truck to haul it to the dealer, but the dealer makes house calls at reasonable cost. I don't see that as a problem, because it is a brand new machine and house calls are covered under the warranty for 4 years. There is an LS, Mahindra and a TYM dealer 10 miles closer, but he sucks. To me the machine (Kioti) is so much better than the others, except the LS, it was no contest. Much depends upon the dealer's reputation, but if I had to choose between an LS with a poor dealer and a Kioti with a good dealer 100 miles away , it would be no contest. I would opt for a Kioti every time. I am guessing of course, since my new Kioti is not delivered yet, nor have I any experience with it. It is word of mouth info right now. If you do not have a good dealer, you have a headache in waiting, no matter what you buy for a tractor. I would not consider a Mahindra, nor a tym. An LS is a good bet, though, I think..and very price competitive..but LS dealerships not so much. 200 miles away is a deal breaker for me, for any brand.

Good luck with your decision, LA Confederate

Jix.

 

[DavesTractor]

I think the question has already been answered. It depends on the customer. A handy guy that does his own work and is not afraid nor lacking the resources to haul the tractor to the shop if needed can buy from about wherever he wishes. I've sold my share of long distance sales, but we always chat with the customer for a bit before we make a sale. Some customers have neither the desire, skills, time or tools to do their own work. They should buy from a very close dealer. There is value in having a good dealer close by for many customers.