What's the value of buying from a closer dealer?

[Gary Fowler]

Dealers don't like to do warranty work if not bought there, but they can be forced to comply if pushed by the parent manufacturer. You cant blame a dealer for not wanting to do warranty work on some other dealers tractor because usually warranty claims don't pay the dealer enough to hardly break even on labor costs, so they don't make any money and may actually loose money on the deal if their mechanics aren't top notch and do the work fast.

 

[Oldoak]

It seems you've learned that it really has nothing to do with proximity or price, rather what kind of people the dealers are. That's pretty much all you need to know and that should steer you to the right dealer.

Yep, it appears jaredyates knew the right answer to his own question even before he asked for other opinions.

 

[jaredyates]

Yep, it appears jaredyates knew the right answer to his own question even before he asked for other opinions.

I could imagine going either way, but having the opinions helps validate one idea vs the other. Dealer A it is, completing the sale on Wednesday if all goes well.

 

[dickfoster]

I could imagine going either way, but having the opinions helps validate one idea vs the other. Dealer A it is, completing the sale on Wednesday if all goes well.

Don't come back here without a new tractor. LOL
And we require proof of purchase via pictures. No picture means it simply didn't happen.

 

[The Deerslayer]

Don't come back here without a new tractor. LOL
And we require proof of purchase via pictures. No picture means it simply didn't happen.

.....x2

 

[Jabonee]

Who has the free pick up and delivery? A or B ?:confused3:

 

[jaredyates]

To give you the rest of the story, I sent Dealer A's quote to Dealer B and asked if he could match theirs and still throw in the pallet forks. He replied to say no, so I sent a message to Dealer A (the closer one) telling them to proceed. Then a few hours later Dealer B sent another email to say that they would, and later Dealer B called to say they would also include an angle blade. I wasn't going to back out with Dealer A, but if B had offered all of that before committing to A, it would have made the decision harder.

I opted to pick it up from either dealer, rather than have it delivered. If they were to deliver it, someone would have needed to be around the house to receive it, and this isn't a good week for that sort of logistical challenge.

 

[Dadnatron]

Relationships with the dealer and those who work there.

I purchased a tractor in another state, but moved it to KY where my farm is located. I couldn't find one locally. However, my excellent local dealer has not held it against me. In fact, I have nothing but praises to sing, for one of my local dealers. They are downtown, but still closer than my other option. I have taken my tractor to them for an FEL repair and have purchased most necessities from them as well. They are typically about 5% cheaper than the other, further, alternative.

But that is not why I go there, although it was initially. I have spoken with many of the mechanics and office people there and worked to develop a good repore, and it pays off all the time. For instance, out of the blue, my air seat elevation quite working about 2 weeks ago. I called, and although it was a known issue and a warranty item, I would have had to bring it in for the repair to be free. I simply did not have the time to do so, so I told them to come to the house and fix it, at a cost of $200 service charge. (I had to leave town and had to have it working upon my return.) The other dealer has a $95 service charge, but I stayed with who has been consistent and friendly.

The main Mechanic manager came out to my place, fixed it while I was gone, and when I called to pay, he said "You don't owe anything. We're good." I live about 15miles out of town.

In my opinion, my loyalty to their business was absolutely solidified at that moment. Loyalty of the business to the customer begat loyalty of the customer to the business.

 

[The Deerslayer]

View attachment 502360
To give you the rest of the story, I sent Dealer A's quote to Dealer B and asked if he could match theirs and still throw in the pallet forks. He replied to say no, so I sent a message to Dealer A (the closer one) telling them to proceed. Then a few hours later Dealer B sent another email to say that they would, and later Dealer B called to say they would also include an angle blade. I wasn't going to back out with Dealer A, but if B had offered all of that before committing to A, it would have made the decision harder.

I opted to pick it up from either dealer, rather than have it delivered. If they were to deliver it, someone would have needed to be around the house to receive it, and this isn't a good week for that sort of logistical challenge.

Congratulations! That is a great looking tractor.

I gotta ask though; Was there a reason why you did not just ask Dealer A to add a set of pallet forks to close the deal?

 

[jaredyates]

They declined to do so.