Buying Advice Would you every buy a tractor on a site like amazon.com?

[candersen10]

Looks like amazon.com is starting to sell larger products like Z-turns and lawn tractors (Amazon.com : Husqvarna 96733411 MZ54S 25V Commercial Zero Turn Mower, 54"/Twin : Patio, Lawn & Garden). Would you ever buy a compact tractor on amazon.com or another site? If so, why? If not, why not?

 

[Industrial Toys]

The problems can start when you need service. You get directed to a service depot which is usually some independent dealer. Then you go there and they tell you, yes, they service the mower, but not the engine! This happened to a neighbor that bought a garden tractor at TSC.

I have a friend in that business and someone is always coming though the door, with stuff (usually consumer level junk) they bought at a big box store, and often with an attitude. They get put in their place pretty quick or are simply shown the door.

 

[MAN IN BLACK]

I would not buy if I can't inspect it and try it first :thumbdown:.
Pictures are nice...but nothing compares to a good inspection/visual check.
My :2cents:

 

[Shaneard]

No, I'm a touchy feelie kinda guy and I don't want anything new, I'd rather have old with metal parts instead of plastic and non emission stuff I can work on myself.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

We sell several of the lines that are sold in box stores. A day will come when the independent dealers will say enough is enough and start refusing to work on box store equipment.

 

[CADplans]

We sell several of the lines that are sold in box stores. A day will come when the independent dealers will say enough is enough and start refusing to work on box store equipment.

Ahhhh, yes,, but,, someone will be there to take the service dollars.
Refusal to service by existing dealers might just increase what manufacturers are willing to pay for service.

Heck, if they pay enough,, I might even go into the service business,,,, :thumbsup:

:laughing:

 

[Industrial Toys]

The BIG corporations want sales and market share, but not the nitty gritty. So, why do dealerships and service facilities agree to be these Warranty Depots, when they don't get paid well, leave themselves wide open, as now the problems become theirs and even endure law suits as I have heard recently resulting from a particularly displeased customer.

 

[fried1765]

We sell several of the lines that are sold in box stores. A day will come when the independent dealers will say enough is enough and start refusing to work on box store equipment.

I would think that a large dealer such as Messick's could get an overall benefit from servicing big box store machines.
When a customer sees what Messick's can provide, as a comparison, it would seem to me that they would likely buy from Messick's the next time around.
I have never been to Messick's, and I live 450 miles from them.
That said; If I ever buy a new tractor, and Messick's price is even close, I will hook up my equipment trailer, and bypass all the closer dealers, to specifically buy from Messick's.
Every time I have bought parts for my very old Fords (UPS/FedEx), the Messick's people have been incredibly accommodating!
So, I might spend $300 in gas and tolls?
I am a very old guy, and I still believe in rewarding loyalty.
MESSICK'S IS FIRST CLASS!

 

[RNeumann]

We sell several of the lines that are sold in box stores. A day will come when the independent dealers will say enough is enough and start refusing to work on box store equipment.

The USA can only have one WalMart or Amazon. They are the low price leaders and no one can compete. No small business needs to take them on! Us small business owners must sell quality and service. If I was in that industry I would welcome anyone with a big box store purchase in my store. Everyone who worked there would know to take a moment to explain the reason it is a cheaper model- bushing instead of bearing, 1/4" instead of 3/8" etc. The customer will go away with a quality repair and an understanding of why your product is a few bucks more- and well worth it!

 

[Garandman]

We sell several of the lines that are sold in box stores. A day will come when the independent dealers will say enough is enough and start refusing to work on box store equipment.

Why anyone would buy an Ariens snow thrower from HD, for example, when they can buy it for the same price and often get free delivery from a local dealer is beyond me.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Any kind of machinery that needs repair or service needs a dealer to do the repair or service.

Chainsaws on up. I'm not buying it on Amazon.

 

[JDL538]

We sell several of the lines that are sold in box stores. A day will come when the independent dealers will say enough is enough and start refusing to work on box store equipment.

The day is coming quickly where independents will be gone..It's been happening for years.I was in business myself for many years.

 

[Shaneard]

Any kind of machinery that needs repair or service needs a dealer to do the repair or service.

Chainsaws on up. I'm not buying it on Amazon.

Says the person who doesn't work on their own stuff.

 

[CADplans]

Any kind of machinery that needs repair or service needs a dealer to do the repair or service.

Chainsaws on up. I'm not buying it on Amazon.

Any mower that Lowes, HD, Walmart,,, or Amazon sells would be considered disposable,,
NO service is needed.

Isn't Briggs even selling an engine that never needs an oil change?

 

[4570Man]

I bought a pressure washer from Amazon. As soon as I poured gas in it it poured out. I contacted customer service service and they sent me another brand new pressure washer and let me keep the other one. Hard to beat that! I pulled the plastic cover off the leaking one and discovered a fuel line hose was cut. I fixed it for a couple dollars.

 

[atsah]

I would never buy equipment from HD or the other place or Amazon, the manufactures set the prices, the local dealers (most of them owners of the dealer) assemble the products and service them. I buy as close to home as possible and if I have any issues they come take care of it and that in itself makes my decision an easy one..

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Why anyone would buy an Ariens snow thrower from HD, for example, when they can buy it for the same price and often get free delivery from a local dealer is beyond me.

I have a friend in that business and someone is always coming though the door, with stuff (usually consumer level junk) they bought at a big box store, and often with an attitude. They get put in their place pretty quick or are simply shown the door.

I've never had Amazon (or HD for that matter) feel the need to put me in my place. A lot of local merchants seem to have learned customer service from the comic book guy on the Simpsons, especially if you're not a regular customer.

 

[WM75Guy]

Northern Tools has sold tractors for as long as I can remember. Currently they sell Foton tractors up to 82 HP on the website and out of the catalog. Current sale includes free shipping. Service is provided by a local service network according to the website. There are some Foton dealers in the USA.

I would think a good dealer supports their product line regardless of where it was purchased. My local tractor dealer sells Husqvarna. They have worked on my old Husqvarna lawn tractor I bought at Lowes. I was at Home Depot yesterday. All of the John Deere lawn tractors had a sign saying service provided by the local John Deere dealer.

 

[MossRoad]

I've had exactly TWO lawnmowers in 32 years of home ownership. One was from Sears and lasted about 28 years. Two is from I don't remember land, has a Honda engine and I expect it'll last at least 15-20 years. I've never taken them to anyone for service for anything. Generally speaking, pretty much every small yard home owner never does either. They buy a $200 lawn mower, MIGHT change the oil once a year, but probably don't, it works for 10 years so that's a whopping $20 per year, and they toss it out when it stops working for them and get another one.

THEY ARE HAPPY WITH IT!

So am I. :thumbsup:

I bough my tractor factory direct and there are no dealers. I do any and all maintenance (and it isn't much), and I'm happy with it. I have no use for a dealer for my needs. When I was shopping for tractors, I soon realized I had to shop for dealers, not tractors, because most dealers didn't want to bother with someone looking for a small machine. That's what turns people off with dealers, and turns them towards places like Home Depot, Lowes, etc...

 

[4570Man]

I've never taken anything back to a dealer for service. I even split my tractor which is a lot more involved repair than the average owner will ever have to make. I did order parts from the Kubota dealer because it's easier than trying to figure out what parts I need online, but I could have managed on line. Btw I bought my tractor from another dealer, but the local dealer was more than happy to take my money in exchange for parts. I expect they would have been more than happy to take my money to split the tractor to.