nhman,
My numbers aren't that applicable and they're about 2 1/2 years out of date. I didn't get a mower with mine, I did get R4's, folding ROPS, LA402 loader w/60" bucket, a Woods 7500 backhoe/subframe/pump/16" bucket, Woods 1160 auger and 12" bit and priced in a toothbar for somewhere around $25K including 5% MA tax. This is from my local dealer. Apparently prices were a bit higher up here than in other regions. Not sure if that's still true, but it was back in 2000.
I don't know if prices have changed that significantly.
His original quote was several thousand dollars higher and, at the time, he didn't seem favorable to negotiation. I returned a few days later with 3 quotes from "on-line" dealers and asked if he could "sharpen his pencil" a bit. I made it clear to him that:
1.) I would prefer to buy from a local dealer, but would purchase from one of the three if I "had" to.
2.) I was ready to put some money down that day.
3.) I expected a "fair" price, not necessarily the lowest price and
4.) I'd pay the tax. (The other quotes did not have tax included as they were out of state.)
He responded with a quote about the same as the middle offer that I had received. I felt it was a fair deal and bought the tractor from him. Again, this was a couple of thousand dollars less than his original price.
I've since purchased a Woods HB60 boxblade, a Woods SS60 snowblower, a 6" auger, an 8" backhoe bucket and, most recently, I ordered a Woods HBL-72 rear blade from him. I've always felt the price he quotes me is fair.
My point being that if you feel comfortable with the dealer, it might be worth it to work toward negotiating a fair price rather than the absolute lowest price. Others might differ, but to me the benefits of a local dealer were important.
Good Luck,
~Rick