Buying from an out of state dealer

[MessickFarmEqu]

The frequency of campaigns in the last 2-3-4 years has gone way up. We're doing several hundred a year now. Much of it related to consumer protection law.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

The frequency of campaigns in the last 2-3-4 years has gone way up. We're doing several hundred a year now. Much of it related to consumer protection law.

Do you contact all customers that you've sold a Kubota to concerning the campaigns or just the ones in your town? Do you get addresses on all your purchasing customers, guess you would if they finance it, wouldn't you? Do you value customer support no matter where they are located? Don't you sell to lots of people that don't live in your community?

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Do you contact all customers that you've sold a Kubota to concerning the campaigns or just the ones in your town? Do you get addresses on all your purchasing customers, guess you would if they finance it, wouldn't you? Do you value customer support no matter where they are located? Don't you sell to lots of people that don't live in your community?

If your asking me specifically, we have a secretary who's job it is to manage campaigns, recalls, etc and lining up all the work. Completing those things is part of our dealer standards requirements. If your not up to par it hurts your profitability in other areas so yes.. we do them all. We don't sell anything so far away that we're not willing to make a 2nd or 3rd trip out if needed.

 

[RickB]

If your asking me specifically, we have a secretary who's job it is to manage campaigns, recalls, etc and lining up all the work. Completing those things is part of our dealer standards requirements. If your not up to par it hurts your profitability in other areas so yes.. we do them all. We don't sell anything so far away that we're not willing to make a 2nd or 3rd trip out if needed.

Just to add to the picture a little, dealers also receive an inventory of uncompleted campaigns on orphaned machines sold by defunct dealers. Over time the completion of these campaigns also affects dealer standards performance.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

If your asking me specifically, we have a secretary who's job it is to manage campaigns, recalls, etc and lining up all the work. Completing those things is part of our dealer standards requirements. If your not up to par it hurts your profitability in other areas so yes.. we do them all. We don't sell anything so far away that we're not willing to make a 2nd or 3rd trip out if needed.

I thought that was the case since I see your Company is often recommended on TBN as a place to price shop and by people from other states which would sort of make you one of those out of town sellers. I'm sure you do great sales follow up or you would not be recommended so highly and most recommendations I've seen over the years have been from your out of town/state buyers recommending your Company. The Internet has changed all of our shopping habits and recognize your Company has a high Internet presence and early provider of Internet info concerning Kubotas and seen lots of praise for you and even utilized some of your info myself. Parts breakdowns and compared pricing.

 

[fried1765]

It has a lot to do with buying local, imo. I have done a fair amount of business with this dealer, they treated me well and they have at other times too.
To your point, I could have purchased a bunch of equipment 5 hours away and they may have done the same. However, I wouldn't have been cutting grass the same day.

Trust me, I could care less where you or anyone else buys.

You.... "could care less"?
How much less could you care?

 

[JJZ 109]

You.... "could care less"?
How much less could you care?

"Cared less" enough to create a post saying as much. :laughing:

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

"Cared less" enough to create a post saying as much. :laughing:

That seems like a "Small bit" of caring to me. :laughing::laughing:

 

[Aquabird]

Many brick and mortor businesses have been terribly affected by the Internet. Myself included. I quote stuff for a customer and he tells me what he can get it for on AMAZON. But we have frank discussions. If I can't make money on stuff, then my hourly rate will double with a four hour minimum. Got to stay above water somehow. A lot could be achieved with frank honest discussions.

I had a dealer that I had bought some implement from and had him do some work on my old tractor. I wanted to buy a new tractor off him, though he was 45 miles away and there is a dealer 3 miles from me. I got a price from the local dealer and then asked the dealer 45mi away if he could do any better on the price for a new tractor as another dealer was doing a better deal. I was hoping he would just know some money off, as I wanted to deal there. He just told me that he was not getting into a pissing contest with another dealer.
I was not going to go back and forth to get the best deal. The local guy just gave me a better price right off. He had no idea I was dealing with another dealer.
I am still a little sad that he would not know something off of retail. I know he is moving tractor, so maybe he does not need to.

 

[fried1765]

If your asking me specifically, we have a secretary who's job it is to manage campaigns, recalls, etc and lining up all the work. Completing those things is part of our dealer standards requirements. If your not up to par it hurts your profitability in other areas so yes.. we do them all. We don't sell anything so far away that we're not willing to make a 2nd or 3rd trip out if needed.

I think I just learned something that I don't particularly like!
I live 450 miles from Messick's, and there are other dealers closer to me.
I have a Ford 1920 FEL, an 8N, and a Kubota L48 TLB.

I have always had parts shipped to me from Messick's, and they have been absolutely FANTASTIC to work with.
I may not buy another tractor (because I am getting bit too old), but if I did buy again, I had always planned to hook up my 14K trailer and take a trip to Messick's.
I now learn that I am apparently well outside the Messick's selling territory.