Better B7800 Deal?

mr_shovel · Dec 10, 2006

Well the folks here talked me out of a SCUT and into a B7800. The test drives were also persuasive. Anyway, I was working with one dealership but have been having a hard time with the sale guy. He just didn't seem interested. He was going to sell me a B7800 for $15,250, however it took me several trips to the dealership, test drive with a different (but very helpful) sales guy. When I finally me him in person (ready to buy) I asked about a used rear blade, and he sent me out by myself in the pitch dark to find this thing in a big field of equipment. That was the last straw for me.

So, The next day I went to another dealer. I would rate this new dealer as average (comparing to my other experiences so far). We talked about a B7800, Bush Hog 35 series 6' rear blade, and 50 hr service for $15,600. Couldn't complete the deal since it was the weekend.

Does this price sound good? Do you think a rear blade is worth the extra $$ for me. Should I get something different that a rear blade? For now I just need no move snow without breaking the bank. See original post for detail of my needs and picture of lot.

Thanks!

I hope to soon be the member formerly known as Mr Shovel.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/90916-best-tractor.html
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KubotaSteve · Dec 10, 2006

I hope you are getting a front end loader with the machine. It will pay for itself many times over in the first year alone.
As far as the blade for moving snow, I wouldn't get some big heavy duty blade. I would just get one from Tractor Supply. A 6 foot one should only set you back $200 or $300. I've used my dad's 6 foot blade from TSC on my B7800 and it worked fine.

CompShooter · Dec 11, 2006

Mr. Shovel,

I too am considering a B7800 (but I am also looking into the Mahindra 3215 and possibly a Branson 3820i). Anyhow one of the reasons I liked the B7800 so much was since Kubota offered a front blade which I could use to plow my driveway. But in another post I found out that I could get an aftermarket front blade for the 3215 as well. So I have more homework to do.

Anyway I was wondering how effective it would be to plow snow with a rear blade? Have you done this before? It just seems a bit odd to me. Just curious.

art · Dec 11, 2006

For central NY I like to think the blower is a must! If it is a straight driveway one for the rear isn't bad but a front would be prefered. With all the talk of global warming maybe in fifteen years you might be ok but if the wind gets a hold of a snow bank they grow faster then the falling snow. An east west driveway will give far less trouble with drifting then a north south for most of central NY.

snmhanson · Dec 11, 2006

Sound like a fair price to me if it includes the loader. I paid 17,700 a couple years ago for a B7800 with a loader and belly mower. I have since purchased several additional implements for it including a BushHog 35 Series 6' rear blade. It is a very well built blade which is easy to use and adjust and is a perfect fit for the B7800. I have used it to plow 12" of heavy wet snow here it the Pacific NW and neither the blade or tractor put up a fuss (and this was with turf tires without chains on a gravel drive). If you are plowing over gravel turning the blade around helps keep it from scooping up too much gravel and still does a good job of moving the snow leaving just a thin layer above the gravel. If it is over pavement just plow away and enjoy a snow free drive (I can't wait until we get our drive paved). I can't vouch for the New York winters but I know when we get hit here the snow is very heavy and wet. Good luck.

Matt

mr_shovel · Dec 12, 2006

Well, apparently dealer #1 reads this board too, because he wrote me a harassing e-mail (addressed to Mr_Shovel), apparently unhappy about the way I expressed my experience. He wrote in a not so nice way that I failed to mention that I showed up 5 minutes before the store was to close.

Since this was my 3rd trip there (1.5 hrs round trip) and I have work late just about every single day, maybe I was a little insensitive to this fact, thus failed to mention it. But to be fair, I am mentioning it now.

Also note, I was careful not to mention the names of any sales people or dealers as to not let my opinion have a negative impact on anyone. I don’t like to badmouth any one directly (unless I am actually harmed) and would rather let others form opinions for them selves.

Oh yeah, and I still don’t have a tractor!!! Dealer #2 is having trouble processing some paper work, and now I had too much time to think about weather the blade will be useful or not.

Taiser · Dec 12, 2006

If I had a shop and a customer stopped by and was ready to dump 18k or so on my product, you can bet I'd stay open an extra 20 minutes or so, happy customers keep coming back. Mr Shovel, I'd love to see your e-mail

unless you plan on still dealing with this dealer.

Some of these dealers must be doing very well to have such crappy service. Unfortunetly I've been seeing that too with my recent shopping here in my town. It's all part of being a captive market here in my town, with little choice except to travel hundreds of kilometers for the next dealer (I won't even get into my "deere" experience!

Mike5252 · Dec 12, 2006

I have to wonder what Dealer #1 hoped to accomplish by his harrassing email.

Was he thinking the combination of the poor sales service he provided you coupled with a less than nice email would somehow guilt you buying a tractor from him?

KubotaSteve · Dec 12, 2006

mr_shovel said:
Well, apparently dealer #1 reads this board too, because he wrote me a harassing e-mail (addressed to Mr_Shovel), apparently unhappy about the way I expressed my experience. He wrote in a not so nice way that I failed to mention that I showed up 5 minutes before the store was to close.

The part that bothers me with this is that its all about customer service. When I worked in sales and a customer was there you worked the sale until it was finnished which could be a while if there were a bunch of custom winodws to order (and we didn't even get commission).
I understand if the guy had an appointment, he could have at least said "Let me work you something up and e-mail it to you." or at the very least explained his situation that he needed to be somewhere. If it was just that it was closing time and he wanted to go home, I think I would have to pass and go elsewhere even if it meant switching brands. The straw that would break the camels back would have been the "not so nice" e-mail. Apparently they aren't looking for any more business.
I'm looking for the guy who will go the extra mile to help me.

mr_shovel · Dec 12, 2006

Taiser said:
If I had a shop and a customer stopped by and was ready to dump 18k or so on my product, you can bet I'd stay open an extra 20 minutes or so, happy customers keep coming back. Mr Shovel, I'd love to see your e-mail unless you plan on still dealing with this dealer.

Some of these dealers must be doing very well to have such crappy service. Unfortunetly I've been seeing that too with my recent shopping here in my town. It's all part of being a captive market here in my town, with little choice except to travel hundreds of kilometers for the next dealer (I won't even get into my "deere" experience!

Yeah, What the heck, I can post it. Maybe it isn’t even so bad and just rubbed me the wrong way. I will still block the names though. Maybe we just have incompatible personalities and I can’t badmouth someone for that. Can’t do it ‘till after work though because it is at my home e-mail.

I also did think about going back (and talking to a different sales guy). There was a guy I talked to one day (when the other guy#1 wasn’t there) that was pretty enthusiastic and helpful. He got the wife and I a test drive, explained operation, features, etc. He even said he would come to my house to look at my land to make sure I get the right tool for the job. It’s probably a little too awkward to go back now though.

One a good note, there are many dealers in my area..