What is your preference when shopping at a dealership?

[check]

Looks like about 1/2 of you guys want to be left alone and the other 1/2 want to be greeted and then left alone. So as a dealer, how do we determine which 1/2 to greet? Ken Sweet

How about asking them?

 

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I'm thinking this why you and a few others here are market leaders... Not to belabor... when I was left a voice message two days later on the BX it was almost 3k more than a friend had bought exactly what I wanted 6 weeks prior... this is how I came to San Jose. So he let me copy is papers and I went back... the Dealer said the BX23 are so popular now that no discounts... even from 6 weeks ago... friend was right at 15k + tax and I was quoted 18k... but, was also told they had better tractor price points on New Holland.... which I was not interested in. I was in San Jose a couple of months later and stopped in to buy a post hole digger... the owner recognized me from my two previous visits and asked why I needed a post hole digger... told him I had found a BX for 15k... and had some projects... he said go to whomever sold me the BX because his implements were only for his customers... Not in a million years would that fly in the auto business... at least not here.

Good thing you didn't buy from him! I hope you told all your friends as well.

 

[check]

I've now read a few posts on this thread specifically saying that their experience with John Deere dealerships has been 'disappointing'. (none have been 'colour bashing' comments, mind you) All this in the home country of JD. I, on the other hand and half a world away, have had nothing but a positive experience with the (one and only) JD dealership on this island State. (Note: all other colour tractors are single owner dealerships). In Tasmania, reputation is KING. 'Tick off' a few people and the word spreads quicker than a bush fire in a gale. Sales wise, I showed up at the JD dealership just after opening time. I sat down with the one and only salesman, over a coffee, and we honestly talked about my tractor needs. Because there were no 4105's on the lot, he then drove me out to a worksite that had one (calling the owner to ask if I could have a 'play' on it). So, yes, I approached the salesman. That salesman devoted his whole time to me and I did buy my CUT tractor from him/JD... a dealership whose primary business comes from big agricultural tractors/implements/equipment. I bought my lawn tractor from the same place. On one occasion, I required a part during haying season. My JD dealership opened up an hour early so that I could pick up that part. They are that sort of people. I'm sorry for the rest of you that it isn't the same. (or, maybe I'm just one heck of a great bloke that good things like this happen naturally to. )

I have a Kubota dealer like that out here in the country. And they like me too - I guess we are both great blokes. (or maybe it is because we are both Canadian – remember Canadians are "nice".)

 

[check]

Sweet, I would say there's nothing wrong with greeting a customer that shows up on the lot, ask them if they need any help or have any questions. If they say "No", then tell them to give you a wave or a holler if they do, and let them be. But if they walk inside, and stand there in front of you, or your sales people, then it's pretty obvious they want something. When I was tractor shopping a year ago, I got completely ignored by 3 of the 5 dealers in town. I mean I was standing inside their sales lobby for greater than 15 minutes, being completely ignored. Went back to one of them 2 more times, same treatment. Proved to me that they don't need or want my money. The JD dealer didn't ignore me, but had no models close to what I was looking for on site, and made no offer to bring the EXACT model I had "built" on their website over from another dealership for me to try before I bought. Their entire effort was exhausted at showing me the shiney brochure and expecting me to plunk down 50K on a tractor + implements that I can't even climb on first. I was ready to buy that weekend. Guess which "color" I bought? The one that waited on me. I know various people that know the owners/managers of a couple of those dealerships that ignored me. I told them to let them know they missed out on a tractor + implement sale by ignoring their customers. I don't need lavish and fawning over attention and butt-kissing when I walk in your place of business. But I do expect to be recognized, and treated like my business matters to you. That, good service before and after the sale, with good prices, and you will likely have a permanent customer.

If that ever happens to me, I call the owner afterwards and tell him that I bought elsewhere, and also tell them why. I think that is a good way to get a dealership to improve service.

 

[IXLR8]

I like to be greeted and asked if I need help. I DON'T like getting the bums rush before I am even out of my vehicle. If I am just looking I will say so, then leave me alone... but don't disappear completely if I have questions. I was at the local Kubota dealer the other day shopping for a tractor. I was greeted shortly after entering the front door, very pleasant, turned out to be the owner. Pleasant chat until he asked what other brands I was looking at. When I mentioned I was considering the other orange brand, he went ballistic, you would have thought I shot his favorite dog. I promptly excused myself and went next door to the JD dealer. The JD dealer showed me some tractors, I decided which one I wanted, he wrote up the deal with a 20% discount since they were having a sale. The "sale" price was the same as the MSRP listed on the JD web site. I ended up with the other orange tractor.

 

[Peter 315]

I like to be greeted and asked if I need help. I DON'T like getting the bums rush before I am even out of my vehicle. If I am just looking I will say so, then leave me alone... but don't disappear completely if I have questions. I was at the local Kubota dealer the other day shopping for a tractor. I was greeted shortly after entering the front door, very pleasant, turned out to be the owner. Pleasant chat until he asked what other brands I was looking at. When I mentioned I was considering the other orange brand, he went ballistic, you would have thought I shot his favorite dog. I promptly excused myself and went next door to the JD dealer. The JD dealer showed me some tractors, I decided which one I wanted, he wrote up the deal with a 20% discount since they were having a sale. The "sale" price was the same as the MSRP listed on the JD web site. I ended up with the other orange tractor.

That's a funny story:laughing:

 

[ultrarunner]

I'm sure a lot of my experience is the Deere Dealers sell AG... sure, they can order anything but the hobby farmer isn't their market.

Deere Yellow, which is commercial was totally opposite... I bought my D3 from Deere and the sales staff was good to very good.

When I complained to Deere Green that it had been weeks and nothing... the lady that answered said they have to take care of their accounts and being harvest time... there was nothing that could be done... well, it is always Harvest Time in California...

 

[Wagtail]

Had you rather have the salesman come out to assist while you are looking or go inside to get one when you have had a chance to look around a while? Ken Sweet

Ken, I would prefer to be greeted on the lot (if that's where I'm browsing) by a salesman asking if i need assistance or have any questions. If I don't, then the salesman can leave his/her card with me and say that they (or someone else) will be available if I do need someone.

Simple and straightforward.

 

[Paystar]

I like it when they come and say hello and ask if you need help, then say "I'll be over here if you have any questions."

I don't like being attacked and followed around. But I also don't like being ignored when i walk in the door.

Good salespeople will greet you, point to their desk and then go sit and wait for you.

 

[fried1765]

I have a Kubota dealer like that out here in the country. And they like me too - I guess we are both great blokes. (or maybe it is because we are both Canadian – remember Canadians are "nice".�&#56860

They certainly are.
I live among them in the Summertime.
Nova Scotia.