“Buy the dealer, not the machine” is outdated

[oosik]

However - this is a free country. So... buy your new tractor at the cheapest dealer you can find. I just hope he has good service also. Let us know how it works out - if you ever need service, or parts or just good advice.

 

[Hay Dude]

I think that's accurate for most utility tractor buyers. And so far my tractor has not needed any major repairs, only very minor issues and basic maintenance, which I have been able to handle myself. So in 3 years, I have not spoken to my dealer. Buying a well built tractor that never breaks down, means your dealer won't be needed for anything more than the original sales. I order all my parts online. Tractor owners in this category typically average 110 hrs per year.

Large farming operations are the exact opposite of this strategy. They need to purchase a reliable tractor from the most reliable dealer, who is able to send mechanics out 24/7 for any possible tractor or combine repairs. Service is critical. Relationships with the dealer are absolutely necessary for successful agriculture operations. Tractor owners in this category typically average 800 hours per year, and not uncommon to find 4000+ hours on their tractors.

You hit the nail on the head, there. A good dealer is critical if you farm for money, own a lot of equipment to make money. I work primarily with 2 dealers. I’m at the point where I have each tech on “speed dial“. I can call them on a Saturday or Sunday at all hours and they will help me over the phone or in person. These are extremely dedicated people who drive their service trucks home at night in case they get a call. I send them Christmas cards with some “appreciation” inside for what they do.
These people must have been raised by great parents and given the patience of Jobe. We could not function without them.

For homeowners with tractors, I can see why this is not important and they can play price games when buying between dealers. If the tractor breaks, any dealer will eventually get around to fixing it. In today’s world, there’s little loyalty. The dealers know it, too. It’s your money, you do what you want.

I just bought a $40,000 round baler. I went straight to one of the 2 the dealers I work with and struck a deal. I know their service techs will be up to speed and able to fix it quickly when the situation looks terrible and I’m losing money. My salesman will routinely stop out while we are making hay and bring us waters or “check on us”.

 

[buck12]

Do you have your car repaired at a crappy car dealership who is known for crappy service? I know I don,t same principle applies..

I bought my last four vehicles at one dealership and have had a couple of warranty items and service done at another dealership because they are closer. The service department seems to care less where the vehicles were bought.

 

[MoKelly]

I bought my last four vehicles at one dealership and have had a couple of warranty items and service done at another dealership because they are closer. The service department seems to care less where the vehicles were bought.

With motorcycle dealers, service is about 50% of total profits. So, yes, we didn’t care where the motorcycle being serviced was purchased.

But, it’s always better to both sell and device the unit.

MoKelly

 

[Snobdds]

It's not outdated guidance by any means, it's just not the only thing that should be considered.

I don't know where this notion that buying the dealer is the only thing to consider.

 

[murphy1244]

I kind of bought cause of the dealer. He has been in business since 1938. My tractor has never returned and he closed his doors 2 months ago. I have had my tractor 10 years and I got people like you guys to help me out so i;m good!

 

[Industrial Toys]

Some times it only takes one "good" guy to make a dealership good. So, you might want some kind of a written guarantee that "nothing" is allowed to change, no one is allowed to quit, they can't get bought out.

Yeah, me thinks I'm gonna keep buying the tractor first.

 

[dodge man]

If you don’t do your own maintenance or repairs a good nearby dealer is important. The parts department at my dealer upset me when I bought a filter package of all the filters for my tractor that had the wrong air filter. They wouldn’t take it back because I had already used one of the filters. You can buy almost all this stuff on line so most of the time I just skip them and order on line.

 

[billfires]

I also bought my tractor, in large part, due to the dealer being 12 miles away. Had been in business for 40+ years but built a large building with almost 20 service bays but got done in by the recession of 2008 and closed up a year later. The nearest NH dealer is a half days drive from me. Tractor had never been in for service but I bought my fluids and filters there. Messicks is my go to for parts now. Bill C

 

[buck12]

I will say good service is important but rare today. Also I try to support businesses in my small town but we have no tractor dealers and only a Dodge car dealer and we drive Fords. We do have a local Napa store that sells Stihl, Husqvarna, Ex Mark,etc. When it comes to anything he sells I buy from him regardless of price.

I get the same service if I am spending $1 or $1,000 and any money I spend stays in our town. When shopping local I support home town people. For everything else I shop price.

 

[Industrial Toys]

That dealer that wouldn't give you the money back on a "wrong" filter in a package doesn't deserve a nickle of anyones money. If they have RULES and can't make a simple thing that that right for the customer, can you imagine the BIG STUFF?

But seems to be the big corporate mentality. Tell customers how important they are while on hold (because they are wasting your time, NOT theirs) Then simply SHEIT on them every way you can.

 

[ruffdog]

There is a difference between real warranted work and prep/setup screw ups by the selling dealer. If the tractor was setup and prepped by a idiot and needs to be re-setup, the manufacturer isn't going to want to pay your "closer" dealer more money to fix what the first dealer did. THAT is when the repair should be done by the selling dealer. Now, if it is a manufacturing defect, then it should be covered by any dealer. Here is a simple example...the wheels were installed on the wrong sides of the tractor (backwards). Should the nearby dealer fix that for free or should the selling dealer be responsible? You can bet that the manufacturer won't pay to fix a setup error like that.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Shows how inexperienced the person installing the wheels was. Typical dealership.

I was just thinking. In a way it's hillarious. Probably a tractor built oversees, and the ONLY thing we had to do was put the wheels on, and we couldn't get that right.

 

[bunchgrass]

I don't really need the service end, but if I'm baffled, I like to have the support on the other end to answer my questions. I also like that my dealer stocks all of my service items as well as selling a huge selection of tools and hardware. Much better than a box store.

Yes- I can order all of this and have it delivered. I order all of my oil that way. But I have been burnt by the cheap stuff sold as premium or OEM labels on Amazon and other retailers. In store purchasing from a quality vendor is going to come back, and for me the shopping experience at my dealer is actually pretty fun.

Some times it only takes one "good" guy to make a dealership good. So, you might want some kind of a written guarantee that "nothing" is allowed to change, no one is allowed to quit, they can't get bought out.

Yeah, me thinks I'm gonna keep buying the tractor first.

Amen. Industrial! Our “local” JD, Ford/NH/IHC, Kubota dealerships ALL have rolled through their service techs every few years. One guy knew less about a baler than I did when he came out. Most of us don’t rank at the dealerships. There’s a reason guys like Hay Dude get the ph numbers of the service guys. It’s not just because he “farms for money”. I do too. Guys farming 3000 acres of wheat spend way more with the dealer than I do so there you go.

 

[bunchgrass]

If you don’t do your own maintenance or repairs a good nearby dealer is important. The parts department at my dealer upset me when I bought a filter package of all the filters for my tractor that had the wrong air filter. They wouldn’t take it back because I had already used one of the filters. You can buy almost all this stuff on line so most of the time I just skip them and order on line.

Yep. I order all my filters from one online filter place (name escapes me).

 

[bunchgrass]

Unfortunately, in the "race to the bottom" mentality out there, most guys who buy a few pieces of equipment in their life usually buy the lowest price dealer. Its your right to do so. It has some merit.
But when the crap hits the fan, they learn the hard way what a best service dealer can do to pull your ass out of a disaster.
Some of us get lucky and find a dealer with excellent service and prices.

In this day and age, tractor dealerships aren’t like car dealers with multiple options in an area (at least mine). The one near you is your only real choice for service. If they suck, then tough luck.

 

[bunchgrass]

Honestly I think the service techs get to know the people they prefer to work for, too. Like I said, I am depending on 7 day a week service when it’s money makin time. They know it, too. They also know I have my schit under control when they arrive, I dive in and help and I also know how to show them they're appreciated.
I know other farmers who do NOT get the same “concierge“ treatment. Even my salesman from one of the 2 dealers will come out and help me if we need 2-3 people to fix something.

You better be spending tens of thousands with the dealer ea yr to rank and based on your equipment listed, you couldn’t be making enough from hay to get the ear of a dealer here. I drove combine for a larger farmer (2000 ac) and we had ”concierge” service too. The techs told me who got that and why. $$$$. Just sayin.

Maybe you live in a different farming area. How about telling us where you live, komrade?

 

[Hay Dude]

You better be spending tens of thousands with the dealer ea yr to rank and based on your equipment listed, you couldn’t be making enough from hay to get the ear of a dealer here. I drove combine for a larger farmer (2000 ac) and we had ”concierge” service too. The techs told me who got that and why. $$$$. Just sayin.

Maybe you live in a different farming area. How about telling us where you live, komrade?

Komrade bunchgrass,
I live in the eastern part of the Republik, where 350 acres of farm land is considered medium sized. Apparently, I spend and make enough with them to have their ear.
I must be in the bourgeoisie, not the proletariat?

I have been in your area. Dealers are spaced very far apart. You get what you get. Tough luck.
Where I am, I can chose from 5 different NH dealers, 5 different Deere dealers, 5 different AGCO dealers.

Oh, and BTW, I own more than on the list. Theres no more space left to list more....

 

[rademamj1]

If the dealer nearest you is not performing quality service, you the tractor owner better have either a reliable tractor, good mechanical skills, or a trailer to haul your injured tractor to a dealer who can perform good service. There are always dealers willing to make the needed service repairs. But they may give you lower priority over existing established customers.

 

[buck12]

In this day and age, tractor dealerships aren’t like car dealers with multiple options in an area (at least mine). The one near you is your only real choice for service. If they suck, then tough luck.

JD at least in this area and many other areas from what I understand are just like car dealerships in that they are all owned by one company. They are not small mom and pop independent dealership.