RK24

[RK Tractor Guy]

Interjecting a little humor here, the RK Tractor Guy stated "Once we saw the large sales volume, we ordered a ton of tractors from our manufacturer", but a TON of tractors is only about one tractor. All kidding aside, new RK Owners and potential owners are most fortunate to have a factory representative weigh in and answer questions to eliminate the speculation and misinformation that can easily derail a thread. Subtle Applause!!


EDIT:

Wannasub……….

You have the option to send him a private message to expedite questions. He may need store location and your name, stuff not generally included on an
open forum.

That was pretty **** funny! Nicely done.

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

You may wanna let your sales team know so they dont misinform there customers.
Just to clarify you saying it could be 2 to 4 more weeks before I could get my tractor?

If you send me a private message, I can give you the precise info. We have all tractors on hand now to fill all customer orders.

 

[Tennsawdust]

I got to look at most of the tractors at the grand opening of the Morristown store this weekend. There were no RK24's or the new RK74 on hand, but I was impressed with what I saw. The tractors were drawing a big crowd. I was a bit surprised by the RK19. I really didn't expect it to be as substantial as it is. While it wouldn't work for my purposes I can see where it would be a perfectly acceptable substitute for the RK24 for some buyers. It is definitely not the glorified lawn tractor I expected it to be.

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

I got to look at most of the tractors at the grand opening of the Morristown store this weekend. There were no RK24's or the new RK74 on hand, but I was impressed with what I saw. The tractors were drawing a big crowd. I was a bit surprised by the RK19. I really didn't expect it to be as substantial as it is. While it wouldn't work for my purposes I can see where it would be a perfectly acceptable substitute for the RK24 for some buyers. It is definitely not the glorified lawn tractor I expected it to be.

Thanks for visiting our Morristown opening and also for the nice comments. We have the 24s in now at our Tractor Assembly Centers and are filling orders for customers that have placed a deposit down over the past several weeks and will have that cleared out shortly, then we push to all RK Tractor locations.

 

[scottz]

So happy the rk24 comfiguration I wanted was in stock back in mid June. Service recieved in Matoon was excellent and tractor has worked well in 22 hours of use. Hoping for a grapple and 3rd option kit.

 

[Diggin It]

Did we scare off the RK rep?

We didn't want to do that.

 

[brianvlx]

Ordered a RK24 with backhoe from our new store in Mt Vernon, Ohio. Was told would take 6weeks for it to arrive. Got a call from the store in 5days that it was ready to be picked up!!! Have 12hrs on it so far....no regrets thus far.

 

[majorwager]

Brian...
Congratulations, hope you enjoy your tractor, post updates when time allows, members enjoy photos of the new tractor at work as well.

 

[prof fate]

Hundreds of millions in what? Tractors? no. feed, seeds, root beer, coffee..doesn't make them an expert in teh tractor biz. The world is littered with failed businesses that tried to move into areas that they lacked the skill/knowledge to compete in.

I would think Home Depot/Lowes would sell bigger tractors if there was a way to do it profitably. They sell deere now - why not a step up, something with a loader perhaps? Pto? 3pt hitch?

Same for tractor supply - they sell higher end mowers, 3pt equipment, tractor parts and supplies, are much bigger than RK..yet they've not seen fit to try their hand a true tractors.

Sears did 16 BILLION in revenue last year...and are FAILING...so sales/revenue is zero indication if a company is good, bad, growing or failing.

Diggin It,
So much negativity, why the sarcasm ? If your are not interested, that is your prerogative, but why rain on everyone else at the parade?

Overtaxed,
Advice you overwhelmingly received on the other thread was to buy the used tractor. Are you now having second thoughts? RK is a several hundred million or more annual operation w/ 100 stores and growing, They are closely held w/ a track record back to the 1960's. With the US economy surging, it is most foreseeable that they will be in business to honor that 8 year warranty. If there is a TYM dealer any where near you, that would provide some perspective. Tractors are similar, w/ just more std. features on RK version. If you take a moment to visit this you tube channel, Outdoors with the Morgan's, you will see a comprehensive review of RK tractors. Video #124, I believe?, is the inception of the RK episodes. Mike Morgan is NOT for sale, calls balls and strikes w/o nonsense.

It has been reported that RK has already passed kioti in sales volume in just the first year. How long has kioti had a presence in the US market? I have to laugh at Messick's remark.
When Messick's opens their 100th dealership and posts sales in the hundreds of millions of dollars + range, we should revisit this conversation.

 

[majorwager]

Fatalist, negative haters are seen for their lack of transparency and are summarily discounted as just another atmospheric noise

RK is growing rapidly and as noted, their sales have already surpassed kioti. How long has kioti been in the marketplace,?

When critical shade is cast upon a thriving business, it is fair to examine the source of the negativity. What are their credentials? Lifetime accomplishments? Educational background? Current status, employment, in the economic realm? Published in economic journals? Sought after as revered public spearkers? Enjoy board positions on both public and private corporations?
Net worth in cash? Long/short term debt. ?

So the critical noise fades, RK continues to grow a n d expand, the naysayers only option, standby dumbstruck, and watch. !! RK is practically debt free, which critics are in this position?

RK pays cash for their tractors, buying power !!, certainly very differnt from financing a single tractor for 84 months !!!!!!!

EDIT: Sorry I underestimated RK sales --old article, half-billion in 2010 w/ 50 stores, Now at 100 stores.
Search screenshot header for rest of the article.

 

[nrosario]

I really hope for RK Tractors business to grow.
We (consumers) benefit from that business model when is well executed.

I have been tractor shopping for a while now (3 months), at this point I'm on the big purchase justification chapter with the Financial Administration Committee.
I have shopped every major brand with-in 1.5hr radius, Kubota, Deere, Kioti, LS, Mahindra, New Holland, TYM. Tried Yanmar (PASCO TURF & TRACTOR, LLC) but they never me that quote.

I can tell you the RK proposal is very tempting from all angles.
I got decent quote, I think, from my local Kubota dealer, so far that's my number one option. My second choice is a RK24.

 

[Diggin It]

I would have looked harder at RK if our store had them in stock. But really the killer would have been the 6% financing. They really need to work on that. I got 4-1/4% with $0 down.

 

[prof fate]

I assume you work for RK, have relatives that do, are an owner or investor perhaps?
You are more pro-rk than RK tractor guy - and he has come clean that he's an employee.

You keep blowing their horn, often making statements that mean nothing (like total sales) and ignoring history (they dropped (failed, quit, deals collapsed..things that can happen again) 2 other attempts a tractor sales). Burn me once, shame on you. Burn me twice...it's my fault for not having learned the first time.

Cabela's seem to catch grief over their dropping tractors...yet no scorn for RK for doing the same thing - TWICE?

Third time lucky perhaps, shows they are determined to sell tractors. It's a different sales model (like carvana) so we'll see how it goes. From what I see here many first time tractor buyers need/want hand holding and I don't think you'll find much of that at a big box retailer. At least I never have.

I prefer dealing with knowledgable pros that have been around for more than the summer busy season...Price isn't everything.

And my kioti was less expensive and lower cost (0%) financing. And I got a test drive (several models). And when I all I get the same individuals every time. And they take trades, should I ever want to do that.

Fatalist, negative haters are seen for their lack of transparency and are summarily discounted as just another atmospheric noise

RK is growing rapidly and as noted, their sales have already surpassed kioti. How long has kioti been in the marketplace,?

When critical shade is cast upon a thriving business, it is fair to examine the source of the negativity. What are their credentials? Lifetime accomplishments? Educational background? Current status, employment, in the economic realm? Published in economic journals? Sought after as revered public spearkers? Enjoy board positions on both public and private corporations?
Net worth in cash? Long/short term debt. ?

So the critical noise fades, RK continues to grow a n d expand, the naysayers only option, standby dumbstruck, and watch. !! RK is practically debt free, which critics are in this position?

RK pays cash for their tractors, buying power !!, certainly very differnt from financing a single tractor for 84 months !!!!!!!

EDIT: Sorry I underestimated RK sales --old article, half-billion in 2010 w/ 50 stores, Now at 100 stores.
Search screenshot header for rest of the article.

 

[cdb2]

Fatalist, negative haters are seen for their lack of transparency and are summarily discounted as just another atmospheric noise

RK is growing rapidly and as noted, their sales have already surpassed kioti. How long has kioti been in the marketplace,?

When critical shade is cast upon a thriving business, it is fair to examine the source of the negativity. What are their credentials? Lifetime accomplishments? Educational background? Current status, employment, in the economic realm? Published in economic journals? Sought after as revered public spearkers? Enjoy board positions on both public and private corporations?
Net worth in cash? Long/short term debt. ?

So the critical noise fades, RK continues to grow a n d expand, the naysayers only option, standby dumbstruck, and watch. !! RK is practically debt free, which critics are in this position?

RK pays cash for their tractors, buying power !!, certainly very differnt from financing a single tractor for 84 months !!!!!!!

EDIT: Sorry I underestimated RK sales --old article, half-billion in 2010 w/ 50 stores, Now at 100 stores.
Search screenshot header for rest of the article.

I assume you work for RK, have relatives that do, are an owner or investor perhaps?
You are more pro-rk than RK tractor guy - and he has come clean that he's an employee.

You keep blowing their horn, often making statements that mean nothing (like total sales) and ignoring history (they dropped (failed, quit, deals collapsed..things that can happen again) 2 other attempts a tractor sales). Burn me once, shame on you. Burn me twice...it's my fault for not having learned the first time.

Cabela's seem to catch grief over their dropping tractors...yet no scorn for RK for doing the same thing - TWICE?

Third time lucky perhaps, shows they are determined to sell tractors. It's a different sales model (like carvana) so we'll see how it goes. From what I see here many first time tractor buyers need/want hand holding and I don't think you'll find much of that at a big box retailer. At least I never have.

I prefer dealing with knowledgable pros that have been around for more than the summer busy season...Price isn't everything.

And my kioti was less expensive and lower cost (0%) financing. And I got a test drive (several models). And when I all I get the same individuals every time. And they take trades, should I ever want to do that.

I suspect that I'm not the only one who thinks this bickering in every other RK thread is unhelpful to those of us who are here because we are considering buying an RK tractor and want to hear from actual owners as well as the company representative about the products. Please consider starting a dedicated thread for y'all to argue about whether RK will fail/stop selling tractors/get bought out by bass pro/whatever...

 

[cdb2]

I would have looked harder at RK if our store had them in stock. But really the killer would have been the 6% financing. They really need to work on that. I got 4-1/4% with $0 down.

I thought the same thing first time I saw the financing rate. But, after thinking about it some more, I get that it's sort of a simplification of how financing works with the "normal" dealer model, where you get a cash discount or a low interest rate. I think they're doing the "cash discount" price only and leaving it up to the buyer to arrange a different financing deal if they want to.

Curious if you think it would be useful for them to also have a lower interest rate option, where you buy the lower interest up front with additional cash like is typical with other dealers? I guess that could save some leg work over researching other finance options through banks/credit unions or whatever. Also would be interesting to see how much that actually saves vs. going with the high interest rate and immediately paying down the principal with the equivalent cash amount.

 

[majorwager]

Fatalist, much to unpack.
I have NO financial interest in RK.(nor employment,) No involved relatives. RK sold Massey and some obscure chinese brand. Please bring forward a single instance where a consumer was harmed?? Just one?
I am pro business, and make NO apologies for this position. Am pro- fairness as well, full disclosure.

You are a bus driver or some such employee.? So if a fellow driver were arrested for say DWI, it would be OK to presume the fatalist is likely to commit the same offense? Your cabella argument is simply old and tired.

And truth be known many tractor dealerships are started and staffed by folks with no background in tractor sales. Many are trailer dealers. Kubota, deere, and CNH perform stricter screening, however many of the others will award a dealership if they scape together some credit, lease a structure and fund a partial floorplan. In some locations, manufacturers are desperate to acquire a presence. Many do not last as verified in TBN posts.

Please show any brand dealer backed by a billion dollar corporation w/ no debt!!!! Hand holding?, can you get serious,? go to a mega GM franchise dealer, folks go by the thousands (100X) for price and warranty assurance. If needing something to handhold, they happily clutch the steering wheel.

If you have insecurity issues, try exploring the benefits of adult daycare.?? RK will answer questions, issues. If coddeling is necessary, re-read this sentence, start !!!!

It is clear some folks are NOT candidates for a RK Tractor purchase. And frankly I would not wish that potential aggrevation upon RK by folks considered incompatible w/ my interests.

Continue the broken record theme, doubt you'll conjure much support. Reverting back to the previous post, to offer valid criticism, it is advisible to walk in the shoes of those being disparaged. If someone can NOT point to a single incident where RK has harmed them, yet they feel the
Insatiable need to attack RK, then the motive must be malice and jealousy. Traites unbecoming rational folks.

Heed the post by MOSS ROAD. He is a moderator and Savvy contributor as well. To paraphrase, he holds no anomosity, wishes RK success and is willing to withhold criticism until such time that it may be warranted. He is not prejudging the outcome of RK's tractor endeavor, and that is the fair policy.

CDB2:
EDIT: I don't speak for RK. Going out on a limb here, presuming most consumers have a BANKING Relationship w/ a lending institution. Going a step further, and presuming your value to said BANK as a customer, then would it be unreasonable that YOU would be offered a prefered lending rate ? True, tractor manufacturers have a vested interest (no pun) in hooking the consumer to purchase their brand.

NO FREE LUNCHES will endure through all time. You astutely noted Zero interest bears a COST. Borrow from the bank, go to tractor dealer w/ cash, watch what happens to the numbers !!! RK is just ahead of the curve. They simply start at the deep discount up front.

 

[RustyT]

I could have a nice farm if I could combine all of the failed dealerships within 50 miles of here.

 

[majorwager]

cdb2.
Sorry you are offended, you are correct, it is pointless to contest opinions borne of a closed mind. RK will survive without my input.



EDIT: In post 39, you have voiced your opinion. I listen with respect. Not my thread either. Be well.

 

[cdb2]

cdb2.
Sorry you are offended, you are correct, it is pointless to contest opinions borne of a closed mind. RK will survive without my input.

Not offended, not even a little. I just think it would be helpful to try to have those particular arguments about business model (and the personal attacks that seem to go hand-in-hand) in one thread, rather than spread around every other thread that mentions RK. I thought it worth asking politely, but since it ain't my forum that's all I'll do.

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

Never happy to see an exchange on TBN that starts with someone asking the community a question or sharing information turn into a debate about whether or not RK Tractors will be a success for the long haul. Let’s try to keep the RK Tractors forum on TBN about sharing helpful info, and less opinion. I just returned from my 9th trip to Korea, and certainly our manufacturer, TYM, thinks we are going to be a success. They are the ones that receive the orders from us.