A fax to my dealer

[SageBrush]

Well, a customer history should mean something. My dealer knows where I stand and he knows I will not pay the average "joe" price. He also knows that I will buy from his selection of brands on the lot if I can. So, when I ask for a price, he knows me well enough to give his lowest out the door price. I do pay his regular price on filters and other small items.

With that said, my dealer is Not the lowest priced around. He has the whole package down. Good sevice, good advice, will spend time with you, that to me is worth a few more dollars. The dealers in my area are usually a couple hundred apart, but the service side is miles apart.

 

[PondKeeper]

I have always felt that I was a "buyer' and the retailer was the "seller". He could set any price he wanted, didn't mean I would buy it for that price. It meant I would either shop more or negotiate more, or just pass.

I understand your issue with being a loyal customer, I agree with your belief that that should account for more service (that means, courtesy, time and $'s, etc) than a stranger. Your customer status record certainly has been established by your past purchases and that should clearly get you the acknowledgment that if you are interested in pricing an item you are not the same as a stranger just window shopping. By that I mean you should get his best price immediately. Maybe his best price isn't the best in the market place but it absolutely should be his best price to you. The first time, not start high and work from there.

Maybe his clerk just doesn't have any authority to discount off the shops price list, if that is the case then shame on the dealer for not training his staff to alert him when a good customer is looking for a price on a larger purchase they should come to him for authoriziation make an adjustment.

As a buyer I usually try to avoid what you have explained here by going straight to the person I have had my experience with. I will walk out and only look if they are not in that day, big purchases can always wait a day or more. I also always shop my item before I go to my dealer, that way I can immediately react to his quote with knowledge of what a current market price is for that item. It is easier to say right away that I thought it was selling for ..., has it increased...? Then they politely know that they are not making you happy and that you also know they are high. Then it is their move, match your price or maybe offend you as a good customer.

Now if your owner is responsible for, and supports, his clerks position I'd say it was his right but it would certainly chill my role as his customer for the future.

Mike

 

[Bob999]

Henro,

You say you intend to send this message--this suggests to me that you have some doubts since you are posting it before sending it.

I think you should have doubts--I don't see how it can possibly do any good and there is the risk it will sour what are apparently some very good things about your relationship with the dealer.

Any dealer offers a package of services and prices. As customers we make our choices based on the best package for our needs. Few are lucky enough to get a package that has best prices and best services. It appears that this dealer provides the best services for your needs but you are upset because he is not also providing the best price. Is this accurate?

 

[TOMLESCOEQUIP]

Henro.......I understand where you're coming from......A few years ago I ran an auto repair shop and used several local towing companies on a regular basis. The local guy charged a fee of $40 to bring disabled vehicles to my shop.( Local tow, 10 miles or less) A out of town competitor would tow them in for $25. I naturally went with the low bid, but gave the local man a chance to match the price. Nope, no, nada, nix, he said, can't do it !!! I averaged about 10 calls a month ($250) or $3000 per year with the out of town guy which I would have much rather spent with the local man. If the out of town guy could do it for $25 per and make money, what am I missing here ?? The local man who I still used occaisionally was always complaining about his bottom line but could'nt figure out that alot of little sales add up and a good paying repeat customer is the kind you need to boost your monthly sales. I go overboard to please my customers and will work hard to get them a fair price. I love a happy customer that talks alot !!!!! Your Kubota dealer is missing the boat here........He should be price checking the competition and going the extra mile to keep a good customer..........When I find a good supplier who treats me right I know I don't need to call anyone else.......your dealer should do the same...........repeat business is everything..........Just my .02 TOM

 

[bigpete]

I'll second fivestring's post. I'm trading in my wife's Toyata Avalon on a newer but identical vehicle. This will be the third car we have purchased from the same salesman, same dealership. I know I will concede a couple hundred dollars for the convenience and quality of the service department. The salesman knows exactly how every past deal went. First, beginning with me stating that all they need to do is determine their best deal based on the level of profit they NEED, versus WANT. Each time, including this time, I have to bring in my Edmunds and Consumer Reports printouts--they're always about a $1,000 higher than a typical market transaction. Then I tell them I will now have to compare their offer to the other four dealers within reasonable distance. Within a week, and after several irritating phone calls and at least one additional debate with a smarmy salesman form another dealership, we'll' do the deal.

The rub occurs because everybody involved knows I won't pay the extra $ grand. But they have to try. I suppose just to see if I will transfer some of my assets to them out of ignorance or the kindness of my heart. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Hambone]

Henro,
I am with you on this one. To me, after I bought two tractors within three years, I should be able to go to my dealer and buy an implement without wasting time calling or going around to other places. I expect him to make some money but be fair.
You also said this guy told you to take a hike... and you like this dealer. I would hate to hear why you don't like the other dealer in your area.

 

[jdeerestl]

Exactly why I don't have "a dealer". I buy from whoever gives me the best price. There are no "friends" in dealerships. They are there to get every penny out of you they can. Which is understandable, they have families to feed just like I do.

 

[Rick Jay]

Hi Bill,

Hmmm...interesting post. I'm really on the fence with this issue. I also feel that sending such a letter might cause a bit of ill-feelings between the dealer and yourself. Perhaps you might wish to wait for a while before sending it (if you haven't sent it yet). At least until you know your newest tractor is relatively "bug free". /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Is it possible that the dealer that quotes the slightly lower costs can do so either because 1.) he sells more implements and therefore pays less for them or 2.) he makes more on the particular brand(s) of tractors he sells and can be a bit more competitive on the implements.

You have certainly dropped some serious coin with your dealer in the last year or so. I'm assuming you purchased from him for a variety of reasons, and probably one of them is because they talk with you and spend some time with you when you stop in, as does my dealer. Sometimes it's just small talk, many times it's related to my needs and wants and I really value their opinion. They are willing to spend the time with me. On the other hand, my dealer knows that I like to have a competitive and fair price, but it doesn't necessarily have to be the lowest one available. I also feel that it is in my best interest for him to be there years down the road. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, the quotes you're getting seem to be reasonably close...perhaps within the difference of a freight charge. After spending tens of thousands of dollars with him...is the possible savings of another couple hundred really worth jeopardizing the comfort level you apparently now have with this dealer?

Yet...still...I think you should voice your concern. Perhaps you could send a letter "snail mail" to one of the "higher-ups" first thanking them for their great service. Mention that you're hoping for a continued, long relationship with them with hopes that they will continue to offer you competitive prices for future implement and/or tractor purchases (you know you're eventually going to get that L3830 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif).

My suggestion would be to send it regular mail, rather than fax or e-mail...to me, it suggests a more personal touch.

In my situation, my dealer is also a Woods dealer, and I usually have a "fair price" in mind when I get interested. If he comes with $50 - $75 of it, I usually buy. If he doesn't, I usually wait until the next time I visit and ask again. Eventually, we usually arrive at a good figure. Of course, I have the added benefit of purchasing most of my implements for "when I need them" rather than because "I need them NOW".

O.K....I think I've waffled about as much as one can in a single post.

Good Luck,

~Rick

 

[frank_f15]

i can understand HENRO"S point. when i am dealing to buy anything and a dealer gives me the best deal he can i get another dealer to sell lower, then the first dealer say's he can match that price. HE LIED to me in the first place. iknow business's of any sort need to maximize profits, but in this case u have a guy that just bought 2 tractors, buys most of his supplys for the dealer and is looking to purchase 2 implements. i think they should have given him the rock bottom price without the hassel> At least this is the way i see. it.

 

[kemartin3]

Another opinion, for what it is worth. My family owned an auto parts store and a motorcycle dealership when I was growing up, so I've got a little feel for the dealer's side. Unless that dealer has a monopoly on something, then his desire should be to build a relationship where you believe his "value add" is worth a little higher price on products. And he needs to learn how much of a "little higher price" each of his good customers will tolerate. What he had better want is a situation where you trust him sufficiently to purchase from him without going to the other dealer for a quote. He can't lose a sale to someone else if you don't go anywhere else to look. It's a tough line for the dealer to walk, but that is what he signed up for when he went into business for himself. I believe this is a discussion best had with the owner, in person. Nothing gets the point across like eyeball to eyeball. And body language says volumes. I'd explain to him that I want him to be successful, and that I want to be able to make one stop when I need something, but he is going to have to do better on his prices if he wants that kind of loyalty. Know going in how much you are willing to give him for that "value add," 'cause he oughta ask. I'd tell him that I'm tired of having to keep him honest every time, and that I'm wondering why I don't just go to the other dealer first, and buy what I want. They're going to be lower, after all.

There's no question, any type of confrontation is a gamble. If this guy's smart, he is going to appreciate that you are helping him stay in business (even if he doesn't say so directly). But not all of them are smart, and unfortunately, Kubota parts are not a commodity.

Hope this helps,
Kevin