Buying local vs out-of-state

[TBone]

I guess I was very lucky. I bought one tractor out of state and saved about $800. When I had some problems with it my local dealer treated me so well I it made me feel guilty enough to trade in my old one and buy a new one from him. The service that they have given me has been outstanding and I haven't regretted buying local, even though it did cost more.

$1600 does sound like a lot though. I'm not sure what I would have done if it had been that much difference.

TBone

 

[Boondox]

I didn't like my local dealer's service dept, but came to an understanding with the next closest (who didn't even have the tractor I wanted in stock at the time) than I would buy implements and service from him.

Bought my L3010 from Steve Carver. It was by and large a wonderful experience, though one I wouldn't have been so happy about without the support of my local dealer.

 

[Roy_N]

Your situation is similiar to mine. I too have been shopping and was leaning towards a L3010 or B2910 from an out-of-state dealer. Being in Rhode Island and living on the state line, just about everything is out-of-state. If the price difference was a few hundred dollars I would probably go with the local dealer. I have gotten prices from six dealers and it appears that there is a MSRP and a Manufacturers Suggested Discounted Price range as just about everyone is within a $300 range. The one dealer that was way below everyone else is Carver in North Carolina. Even if I bought 80 miles away in tax-free New Hampshire the tractor would cost $1,200 more than having it shipped 800 miles from North Carolina. For that money I could buy a rotary cutter.

As to dealer service, their may be some discrimination in the form of how fast you are serviced because you bought elsewhere, but their service dept should be a profit center just as their sales dept, so I doubt any dealer would turn away service business. I bought a Plymouth Voyager from a distant dealer and have major service done at a nearby Dodge dealer, and never felt slighted. I expect the same from Kubota dealers.

BTW - I was ready to go with the L3010 as I liked the power, boomerang pedal, and seat. But my wife liked the separate pedals of the B2910. The seat was not as nice, nor reclining, as the L3010 but still comfortable. The big factor was the weight and turning radius. I'm concerned that the additional 1,000 pounds of the L3010 would damage the lawn and compress the septic leach field. Also weaving around the trees would be easier with the B2910. Frankly I don't understand why the L3010 with all that additional steel and horsepower doesn't cost much more than the B2910.

Best Wishes,
Roy in Rhode Island

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Roy (and all),

Thanks for for all the responses. I'm sure you have looked at the same dealers as me. I'm in eastern Mass. I want to make the decision within the next 24 hours so that I can take advantage of the rebate that Kubota is running on the L3010 ($1400). I'm leaning towards Carver. They blow away everyone else. I'm curious to know what dealer you would choose if you were forced to buy locally right now. I've been in touch with Norfolk, Ahearn's and Chappell. I'm going to give Ahearn's one more shot it coming down. If they can't do it I think Carver's the way to go. Like everyone has been saying, there are not many warranty issues with these machines, and the $1600 buys some good attachments. But.....I really hope they will get more competitive with their bid. I would much rather buy locally!

Fernbank

 

[chainsawrich]

I know the feeling. I would have saved $600.00 out of state but decided that I would rather have the service from our local dealer were it was purchased. But for the $1600.00 I might have done it differently./w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

 

[Nuru]

One of my local dealers did but after I got the tractor - he called me back too late, but I am going to buy my mower deck from him! He apparently forgave me LOL! He knows he will get some parts and some service out of me!

 

[BILLMAN]

I used a quote from Carver as the base line for my negotiations. My local dealer matched there price, no problem. I simply said that I have a quote for $.... i would rather buy local from you. What can you do ? He said, I have it in stock and you can pick it up tomorrow or we can deliver saturday. By the way, my local dealer happens to be out of state which means no sales tax. (11 miles)

 

[drcollie]

I've got a BX22 on order at my local dealer, however it's unknown when it will arrive.

So I began calling around and found on on the ground in Newark, DE (two hours away) and they don't have a sales tax. The Newark Dealer price was $ 17,800 with a 60" MMM. "Too High" I told them. They offered again with $ 17,300. "Still Too High. You should be in the mid-16's on that rig." I told them. The salesman said "but you don't pay sales tax here." To which I responded, "Nevertheless, you should be at least competitive with the other dealers." Offered him $ 16,800 and they said they'd check and call back if they could do that price. I have not heard back yet.

Meanwhile, I called my local dealer and told him I found one on the ground and was probably going to go get it at $ 16,800 if they agreed to the price. My local dealer's price was $ 16,500 + $ 750 sales tax for a total of $ 17,250 delivered. I just didn't want to wait a month for the tractor, mainly.

Know what my local dealer did? He said $ 16,500 DELIVERED to keep my business. WOW. I'm impressed. He's earned my business for sure and I'll stay with him.

Point is, talk to your local dealer. Be square and show him your numbers. They all pay the same for the tractors and they can certainly adjust to the competition if they want to.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

check out salem farm supply salem ny

 

[Roy_N]

Fernbank,

Here's the quotes I got:
Kahn (CT) $19,900
Ahearn (MA) $19,800
Carver (N.C.) $17,950
Chappell (N.H.) $19,600

This is for the L3010 with FEL, HST, 4WD, R4 tires. Prices don't include delivery, rebate, or taxes. Approx delivery from Carver would be $800, and $300 from Chappell. I don't have figures for this model from Goldsteins (Westport) or A1 (Foxboro), and based on the other models I inquired about, I think these two dealers would do better on price than the other New England dealers I cited, but no one beat Carver. They might if I showed them a Carver quote but I hadn't got to that point. Frankly, I would do that until I had the money to put on the table.

Regards,
Roy