Is every Deere dealer inflexible on lawn & garden?

MORRISONSTEEL · Mar 15, 2017

Depending on your part of the country right now is prime mower selling season, not really the prime season for discounts. There are lots of retailers that will stick to a pre-determined margin especially when you are at literally the starting point of the highest point of demand for your product.

beenthere · Mar 15, 2017

I've been happy with the deals I've made over the years with my Deere dealer.
I'm also more impressed with the Deere quality as a whole, compared to any of the competition I've run or seen run by neighbors.

Not everyone will be happy, no matter what the deals are.. They likely buy a different brand.
As suggested by Morrisonsteel, timing is important..

KEYBEAR · Mar 15, 2017

Last Spring I bought a new John Deere X 758 . The local dealer gave me a trade price with my used John Deere X 750 . It was to high the sales guy low balled my trade and ask top price for the new tractor . I called around and bought a new X 758 250 miles from home got a bagger and all for less money . Now my local gets to service it .

MORRISONSTEEL · Mar 15, 2017

KEYBEAR said:
Last Spring I bought a new John Deere X 758 . The local dealer gave me a trade price with my used John Deere X 750 . It was to high the sales guy low balled my trade and ask top price for the new tractor . I called around and bought a new X 758 250 miles from home got a bagger and all for less money . Now my local gets to service it .

Service margins 65% and above, sales margins 30% and below. Your local dealer may not be that disappointed in losing a low margin sale, parts and service actually pay the bills.

KEYBEAR · Mar 15, 2017

MORRISONSTEEL said:
Service margins 65% and above, sales margins 30% and below. Your local dealer may not be that disappointed in losing a low margin sale, parts and service actually pay the bills.

Please I do not care what the local dealer thinks ?

Luke'sScreenName · Mar 15, 2017

Didn't you have problems with the local Kubota dealers? Maybe change your approach? You shouldn't have to (you are the customer after all) but might be less frustrating. :confused3:

Wagtail · Mar 15, 2017

Different geographic areas play a part in pricing. For the OP (and others), think of buying in Alaska or Hawaii. In those States, and other isolated markets, transport/availability are a large $ factor along with the relative population 'pool' of potential buyers. In those environments, a Dealer's reputation -fair price and, especially, follow up service/support- is what will get/hold customers.

Tasmania is similar = small population and we're an island... we factor in transportation costs for everything that needs to be shipped here from the mainland (or what we jokingly call 'the North Island'

) Reputation is king and 'word' quickly spreads as to who's the best.

Regarding 'goodies'... perhaps it's because I'm such a nice bloke but I received the standard Dealership 'ball cap' and the salesman gave me a Dealership bomber-jacket! :cool2:

s219 · Mar 15, 2017

When I bought my X380 last spring, Deere had an incentive, I had a test drive coupon, and the dealer was offering a weekend special for some garden show. I didn't actually go to the garden show but the sales guy gave me that extra discount the day before, and it nudged me to make the purchase. Total was $700 off MSRP.

I don't know how the Husky mowers are in 2017, but when I shopped last spring, Deere was unquestionably better in many many ways. That is not true of the lower model Deeres, but once you get into the X series they really do make a fine machine with no equal on the market that I can see. I imagine the dealers realize that and probably don't see the need to compete with the other brands out there. No offense to Husky -- I own some of their products -- but their riding mowers just aren't in the same class as Deere, at least not in 2016 when I shopped around.

jenkinsph · Mar 17, 2017

When I purchased my x749 the dealer discounted my order 15% off msrp. That included the mower, 3ph kit, pto kit and mulcher attachment. They have been good to deal with and fair. That is all I can ask for and I recognize everyone needs to make a profit. That is why businesses open their doors.