Why is it so hard to buy a tractor?

Duke460 · Dec 31, 2016

Often on this forum people claim it is best to find a good dealer and pick the brand of tractor later. My 1972 Ford 4400 has way to many hours so I was looking for a very basic 50-60 hp tractor. Kubota, John Deere, visited and no follow up from them. Feels very wrong when you want to spend money and nobody willing to take it. Since I am in SE Wisconsin though I would try for a "local" brands. Look at New Holland Workmaster 60. Decent dealer, followed up a few times but did not have one and tried to push me towards a boomer. A lot more than I need.

Finally went to the local Case dealer to look at a Farmall 55. Father Son dealer do dealt with dad. Fantastic service, lots if questions on what I use the Tractor for. He even came out to the house to look at the old Ford. Gave me a great trade in value and helped specify a new Farmall. Fluid filled tires, Second rear remote and a very big HD loader. He saw all the weld on my Ford and upgraded so I wouldn't break it. Came up with a great price but would not place the order until I drove one. Made a appointment at the Case test track in Racine. Test drove various units, met with factory rep, a looked at the HD loader.
Tractor will be here in 6 weeks. Never put down a deposit, he will deliver it, train on it, then take the old one away.

Great old school service.

TheMan419 · Jan 1, 2017

That was basically my exp w my NH dealer. The green and orange guys were larger "corporate" shops. NH was a family business.

oosik · Jan 1, 2017

I vist the local Kubota dealership - originally was Ford - at least monthly. I update on Kubota products and the salesman is an avid hunter/fisherman - so stories abound. I notice over the 34 years that I've been visiting this dealership that they will have approximately ten smaller tractors - B's, BX's,L's - for every one larger unit - M's. I've asked why and the response is - "We simply stock what sells the most".

When I bought my current M6040 - the only "pressure" the salesman gave was - - buy the M now because in the coming year they will be going to Tier 4 and like all other dealers - Tier 4 will be new to Kubota. They had M6040, M7040 & M9540 new tractors - one of each - on their lot at that time.

I got a good price on my M6040, FEL, bucket and rear blade and they delivered free. I received a quote right on the spot and the exact discount they were willing to give. I was able to sit on the tractor, start it up and operate it around their sales lot. No digging or tilling allowed!!

This dealership is owned by an old farming family and is not a "corporate" dealership - that may have a lot to do with sales/service.

This is the type dealership they should all be - I'm just very fortunate.

rScotty · Jan 1, 2017

plowhog said:
I have owned a SCUT tractor for about a year. That is my entire tractor experience, so I am still a "newbie." I recently started shopping for a larger tractor. I'm a cash buyer. Budget is $50,000+. It has been a difficult experience.

That's too bad. And from the other postings it does sound like your experience is common today.
Part of it is just the sign of the times.....but it wasn't always like that. I can remember my own tractor buying experiences as being quite different - but the last one was a few years ago. I buy about once a decade. Sounds like things are changing...

Since you probably are wasting your time trying to change the way the tractor industry treats customers, it may be to your advantage to change the way that you approach them. I enjoy buying things, and recommend that you figure out any way that works for you to make the purchase process into a good time. Or if you just don't like buying tractors then take along a friend who does.

I can guarantee that you will get a better price and a better tractor if you take your time and enjoy the dealing. So with that in mind here is what I would do:

1. I would give the local dealership a call, arrange a time that you are going to show up, tell them about what you are looking for, and let them know that you hope to go out there to start and test drive a couple of their tractors that are similar to what you are looking for.
Invite your wife to come along, too.

2. Talk just enough about financing vs cash to let the dealer know that you are a serious buyer; this is not yet the time to start bargaining about dollars in earnest. You want to keep them guessing about what you will pay, but not about your ability to pay.

3. Drive it around. Try the loader, 3 pt, and any features ....crawl all over it with the dealer and kick the tires. Explain what you will be using the tractor for - along with any personal preferences & limitations. Let them know that you fully understand that a new machine and a low hour used machine are essentially the same thing. But if you have a preference for one or the other be sure to state it. (I actually prefer low hour used) One big difference can be warranty, but my experience recently is that our local dealers consider selling a warranty package to be just part of any tractor sale.

4. If you see something that is close to what you are looking for, arrange to come back for a second look. When you arrive, let the dealer make you an offer and maybe get down to some initial bargaining....or at least get a "what if" sheet of prices going for the model put together like you really want. Naturally any dealer will be very motivated to sell you the machine he has on hand. That might work, or maybe consider a lease. BTW, this visit is a good time to bring your wife along if you haven't already.

Enjoy!
rScotty

SJay · Jan 1, 2017

Wont go into all gory details of my tractor buying experience - basically found it very much like the OP. Got my from the most unlikely source - the Bobcat dealer 3 miles away. I was able to find a used CT225. The salesman brought it over for me to use for a weekend and let me decide if I wanted it. Got a great price on the tractor and great help from the salesman. I was talking to him the other day and he told me in 2016 he will sell more than 100 Bobcat products - I understand why - find a dealership you love then buy their tractor, Good Luck

Steppenwolfe · Jan 1, 2017

Look at my list of toys, I really like Kubotas. I have had two experiences with separate Kubota dealers that left me shaking my head, and they did not get my business. I can vouch for Messicks. I have been there twice, although they are 400 miles from where I live. Knowing that, they were still very helpful and educated me on what was available. My advice, find the right tractor and then find the dealer who wants your business.

Creamer · Jan 1, 2017

Duke460 said:
Often on this forum people claim it is best to find a good dealer and pick the brand of tractor later. My 1972 Ford 4400 has way to many hours so I was looking for a very basic 50-60 hp tractor. Kubota, John Deere, visited and no follow up from them. Feels very wrong when you want to spend money and nobody willing to take it. Since I am in SE Wisconsin though I would try for a "local" brands. Look at New Holland Workmaster 60. Decent dealer, followed up a few times but did not have one and tried to push me towards a boomer. A lot more than I need.

Finally went to the local Case dealer to look at a Farmall 55. Father Son dealer do dealt with dad. Fantastic service, lots if questions on what I use the Tractor for. He even came out to the house to look at the old Ford. Gave me a great trade in value and helped specify a new Farmall. Fluid filled tires, Second rear remote and a very big HD loader. He saw all the weld on my Ford and upgraded so I wouldn't break it. Came up with a great price but would not place the order until I drove one. Made a appointment at the Case test track in Racine. Test drove various units, met with factory rep, a looked at the HD loader.
Tractor will be here in 6 weeks. Never put down a deposit, he will deliver it, train on it, then take the old one away.

Great old school service.

I have seen Deere and CNH are both pushing large dealerships. For instance I thin Titan is the only CaseIH dealer in South Dakota now and there are only a couple of green dealers. You are lucky to have an old style dealership - I hope they can stay independent.

Creamer · Jan 1, 2017

Maybe it is just my area but I have two MF dealers very close to me - one a mile away and one 20 miles away. Both are family owned and neither would sell you a tractor until they understood what you were going to use it for and verify that you are getting the right product. If I were in the market I would go to the closest one as I have known him personally for 23 years.

On the other hand there is a multiple showroom Kubota dealership whose main store is about 20 miles away who seems to have a good reputation but they also sell Stihl and from the lack of service I got in that product line I would never go to them for a tractor. I am thinking that it is just the orange guys who can never say anything bad about their product or dealer.

I also have a Deere and a CaseIH dealers that are about 20 miles away and both of them have great reputations but I have no personal experience with them. Both are large corporate dealerships - not family owned. The New Holland dealer though is about 15 miles away and is excellent as well as that is where I get parts for my little Ford.

check · Jan 2, 2017

Our country Kubota dealer has been great, and it has been some seven years since I bought my BX25 tractor from him. Great to deal with when I bought, and great to deal with whenever I called with a question or wanted an implement or service or whatever. Also, very helpful when I was considering upgrading. Had several possibilities sitting side-by-side, and and the salesman was very knowledgeable and experienced.

dickfoster · Jan 2, 2017

I don't know exactly where you are but you say Northern NV and CA so I guess not too far away from me. I had good results buying a Mahindra from Beeler Tractor in Yuba City. The west coast Mahindra distributor is in Olivehurst right across the river and next door. Beeler is affiliated with them also so they can get you any Mahindra you want pretty quick. In fact mine came from the distributor because Beeler didn't have what I wanted on the lot so I went there for a test drive. There is a sea of red tractors over there, all sizes and models to choose from. Must be a couple of thousand of em. They also loaded my tries for free and delivered the tractor about 50 miles for free. I experienced the same disinterest from the Kubota dealers in my area so I went with Mahindra based on the dealership and sales response. I'd started out shopping for a Kubota but poor dealer response steered me away from them.

Turbys_1700 · Jan 2, 2017

I knew my dealer through purchasing other items from them in addition to a FEL for my 1720. I think that in many instances dealers don't know the tire kickers from the real buyers especially if they don't know you. Still no excuse for that type of behavior. That tractor is a premium unit that typically you don't find on the lot. Dealers are more interested in moving current stock many times. Just the way it is. Sorry for your bad experience.

Creamer · Jan 2, 2017

I just remembered the OP's comment regarding a dealer that does not deliver - I have never heard of that. How can you sell equipment if you do not deliver? that would be a dealer I would run from. They should bring it out to your place and verify your intended usage and verify that you are comfortable running your tractor and know what all the knobs and levers are for, etc. If they do not that they shouldn't be in business.

mike69440 · Jan 2, 2017

dickfoster said:
I don't know exactly where you are but you say Northern NV and CA so I guess not too far away from me. I had good results buying a Mahindra from Beeler Tractor in Yuba City. The west coast Mahindra distributor is in Olivehurst right across the river and next door. Beeler is affiliated with them also so they can get you any Mahindra you want pretty quick. In fact mine came from the distributor because Beeler didn't have what I wanted on the lot so I went there for a test drive. There is a sea of red tractors over there, all sizes and models to choose from. Must be a couple of thousand of em. They also loaded my tries for free and delivered the tractor about 50 miles for free. I experienced the same disinterest from the Kubota dealers in my area so I went with Mahindra based on the dealership and sales response. I'd started out shopping for a Kubota but poor dealer response steered me away from them.

If you find a Mahindra Dealer you are comfy with, you can get an M-power 85 at a $50K budget. Specs as a heck of a lot of tractor for the $. Not seen one in person.

TheMan419 · Jan 3, 2017

Turbys_1700 said:
I knew my dealer through purchasing other items from them in addition to a FEL for my 1720. I think that in many instances dealers don't know the tire kickers from the real buyers especially if they don't know you. Still no excuse for that type of behavior. That tractor is a premium unit that typically you don't find on the lot. Dealers are more interested in moving current stock many times. Just the way it is. Sorry for your bad experience.

I wold run from a dealer (car or tractor) that simply tries to sell you what is on the lot. You need what you want or what works for you best.... not what they happen to have.

The JD dealer near me stocks pretty constantly the 1 and 2 series. The NH dealer does not usually stock the smaller stuff. However when I talked to them they were more than willing to dealer trade for exactly what I wanted. Even arranged for me to go test drive one at a dealer about an hour and a half away.

Delivery? You bet, included in the cost.

I could see charging for delivery outside of a certain radius. However to say you simply do not deliver? Then if I need warranty work done on the tractor how are you getting it back to the shop?

WoodChuckDad · Jan 3, 2017

It is a shame that your local dealers conduct business that way. I have a great Kubota dealer near me. I test drove two tractors there, and they gave us good quotes on them. It turned out, that the Kubota wasn't the right tractor for me. I have gone back and bought an implement from them. I had to drive a bit out of my way to find my Kioti Dealer. They are about 60 miles from my property. The guy took an hour to walk me thru different features on the tractor that I was interested in. He had me drive a couple others to compare it to. He drove me to his house to look at the larger tractor that he uses for field cutting and snow plowing. I bought a larger one like his. I have had a very good experience with them.

jenkinsph · Jan 3, 2017

I think it is important to separate yourself from the tire kickers at the outset of the deal. The dealership needs to know you are a serious buyer IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT. I do this by showing him a cashiers check for $1000 to order in the unit and showing him another cashiers check for $10,000 to be used for the balance of the down payment. The dealer knows he has a legitimate buyer in front of him and can proceed in earnest. I start with a discounted price that I feel we can both live with. If we order a tractor the dealer gets the $1000 check and I inspect it when it comes in, if it is what I ordered and want then he gets it ready and I present the $10,000 check for the down payment. You could pay off the unit at this point if preferred..

joefromga · Jan 3, 2017

Maybe you're looking at the wrong brands.

GoldenCityMuse · Jan 3, 2017

All I can say is when I bought my Cabela's tractor from the dealer in Allen TX, I got great service. They did not have the one I wanted on their lot, had to get one from Arkansas, but there was no problem doing so.

BTW, I never drove it until it arrived at my driveway.

FatTire · Jan 3, 2017

Creamer said:
I just remembered the OP's comment regarding a dealer that does not deliver - I have never heard of that. How can you sell equipment if you do not deliver? that would be a dealer I would run from. They should bring it out to your place and verify your intended usage and verify that you are comfortable running your tractor and know what all the knobs and levers are for, etc. If they do not that they shouldn't be in business.

I was thinking the same thing, its just weird that they said they don't deliver. How is that even possible?