Buying Advice Cabela's selling Compact Tractors

[Wheresmy]

It looks like the MSRP for the LM35 (35 hp shuttle-shift) dropped to $17,999 and the LM35H (35 hp hydrostatic) dropped to $20,099. I don't recall what the LM35 shuttle-shift was priced at, but the LM35H went from $22,899 MSRP to $20,099 MSRP if I recall correctly. Supposedly the free loader promo expired yesterday, though it is still listed on the website.

Here are the current MSRP listings on the Cabela's website:

LM35:   $17,999  (35 HP, Shuttle-shift, Open Station)
LM35H:  $20,099  (35 HP, Hydrostatic, Open Station)
LM43:   $21,699  (43 HP, Shuttle-shift, Open Station)
LM43H:  $23,199  (43 HP, Hydrostatic, Open Station)
LM43HC: $26,399  (43 HP, Hydrostatic, Cab)
LM50:   $23,799  (50 HP, Shuttle-shift, Open Station)
LM50H:  $25,799  (50 HP, Hydrostatic, Open Station)
LM50HC: $29,899  (50 HP, Hydrostatic, Cab)

The prices are still a bit high, but if they continue the free loader program the prices are now much closer to comparable TYM tractors. For instance, I found a T433 with Shuttle-shift and loader online for $20,592. If Cabela's continues the free loader program, the same LM43 at $21,699 is pretty close in price. Supposedly the free loader program ended yesterday, though it is still listed on their website at this time.

Yesterday I thought that Cabela's was making a smart move by lowering their Regular price. Today I found out that I was wrong and it's too late to update my post. Yesterday Cabela's had these prices posted as a "Regular Price", but today they have updated their website to reflect these prices as "Sale" prices while at the same time raising the "Regular" price to higher than it was last week, most likely to make the "Sale" prices look better. For example, the represented "Regular Price" of the LM35H is now $23,499 rather than the $22,899 it was a week ago (with a free loader too).

It's just Corporate Pricing Games, nothing new.

 

[Cherokee140]

It's just Corporate Pricing Games, nothing new.

They are good at playing games.

 

[jmc]

They are good at playing games.

"Skimming" is the corporate marketing term. Set the price high to fleece part of the market upon introduction, then lower the price to appeal to the meat of that market, once the sheep are sheared.

 

[transformatic]

Yes, it is identical to my 503 TYM. The best tractor I have owned so far.

 

[Green Power]

I know i am bringing this thread back from the dead... But i was talking to Doug in person today (The Tractor Guy)... he explained how at the end Cabelas wasn't much more expensive than other brands. Cabelas up front cost includes tires made in USA a 3 year warranty, currently a free loader etc.... I sat in the 43 HP tractor with cab today and was beyond impressed with the fit and finish... Its a very nice tractor for this size. The tractor i was in also had a very nice radio... IMHO it was a very good decision for cabelas to jump into the tractor business.

 

[TSO]

I know i am bringing this thread back from the dead... But i was talking to Doug in person today (The Tractor Guy)... he explained how at the end Cabelas wasn't much more expensive than other brands. Cabelas up front cost includes tires made in USA a 3 year warranty, currently a free loader etc.... I sat in the 43 HP tractor with cab today and was beyond impressed with the fit and finish... Its a very nice tractor for this size. The tractor i was in also had a very nice radio... IMHO it was a very good decision for cabelas to jump into the tractor business.

FYI ... the Titan tires they use are the same USA made ones that practically everyone else uses too... and nearly every other brand offers that free loader program too.

 

[GManBart]

I know i am bringing this thread back from the dead... But i was talking to Doug in person today (The Tractor Guy)... he explained how at the end Cabelas wasn't much more expensive than other brands. Cabelas up front cost includes tires made in USA a 3 year warranty, currently a free loader etc.... I sat in the 43 HP tractor with cab today and was beyond impressed with the fit and finish... Its a very nice tractor for this size. The tractor i was in also had a very nice radio... IMHO it was a very good decision for cabelas to jump into the tractor business.

The same tractor, with the same "free" loader, the same tires, and the same warranty costs less if you buy it from TYM.

 

[daugen]

The same tractor, with the same "free" loader, the same tires, and the same warranty costs less if you buy it from TYM.

Well, I'd expect it to. Another set of fingers in the pie. And well dressed fingers too.
nice to have choices actually.

 

[GManBart]

Well, I'd expect it to. Another set of fingers in the pie. And well dressed fingers too.
nice to have choices actually.

That wasn't the point of the comment. People are claiming that the Cabela's machines aren't that much more expensive, and justifying the higher price because of things like a free loader, tires made in America etc, when those things simply aren't unique at all.

 

[lilranch2001]

I guess like Bill Clinton... depends on the meaning of "is" is.....

Depends on your meaning on "not that much more"

Lots of people will gladly pay for the name brand Cabelas
:confused3:

To each their own!

 

[daugen]

That wasn't the point of the comment. People are claiming that the Cabela's machines aren't that much more expensive, and justifying the higher price because of things like a free loader, tires made in America etc, when those things simply aren't unique at all.

understood. If buy the identical microwave from LG and Kenmore, the Kenmore will cost more usually. More overhead I assume and another layer of profit on the exact same microwave. That's all I meant. The question of course is how fat is that layer and is there any real value that comes with it.

 

[SwingOak]

I have nothing against Cabela's. I'm in the market for a grain drill so I can replant my hay fields later this summer. I can't afford to pay cash for a new one. If I can get the same Woods seeder from Cabela's at approximately the same price as my local dealer, and get it with 0% financing, then my seeder will be green. I'll go with the best deal, and if it's a used Brillion drill (or whatever) then that is what I'll get. Everyone on this thread seems to like to bash Cabela's, but the fact is if you want to buy a TYM tractor it's you that is going to pick the source that makes the most sense to you. It's the same tractor, and hay, maybe you want a green one. It doesn't mean you're stupid if it's what you want.

 

[TomSeller]

. IMHO it was a very good decision for cabelas to jump into the tractor business.

I always figured they jumped into tractors due to the food plot connection to hunters.

 

[Green Power]

According to Doug TYM uses tires made overseas...

 

[94BULLITT]

I know i am bringing this thread back from the dead... But i was talking to Doug in person today (The Tractor Guy)... he explained how at the end Cabelas wasn't much more expensive than other brands. Cabelas up front cost includes tires made in USA a 3 year warranty, currently a free loader etc.... I sat in the 43 HP tractor with cab today and was beyond impressed with the fit and finish... Its a very nice tractor for this size. The tractor i was in also had a very nice radio... IMHO it was a very good decision for cabelas to jump into the tractor business.

A while back he told us they were less than the top 2 brands and price competitively with others.

6. As for pricing, we all know that list price and final price are two very different things. When sitting down to get an actual quote, the Cabela's equipment prices are far below those of the top two brands, and are highly competitive with all of the others. Considering the Woods implements, Titan Tires & Wheels, enhanced shielding, five year powertrain and three-year full machine warranty--all parts and labor included with no deductible, canopy standard on all ROPS models, Cabela's believes that they offer a lot of value and they back everything up. Cabela's has trademarked the term "Legendary Customer Service," and it is deeply embedded in their culture. The customer IS always right as far as they are concerned.

If the tires are a strong point on these tractors their is not much to talk about.

FYI ... the Titan tires they use are the same USA made ones that practically everyone else uses too... and nearly every other brand offers that free loader program too.

I was also thinking that most use Titan tires. I know LS uses some Carlisle tires. IDK if they are US made or made in China.

The same tractor, with the same "free" loader, the same tires, and the same warranty costs less if you buy it from TYM.

The Cabelas comes with a Woods loader. Is that what TYM uses?


6. As for pricing, we all know that list price and final price are two very different things. When sitting down to get an actual quote, the Cabela's equipment prices are far below those of the top two brands, and are highly competitive with all of the others. Considering the Woods implements, Titan Tires & Wheels, enhanced shielding, five year powertrain and three-year full machine warranty--all parts and labor included with no deductible, canopy standard on all ROPS models, Cabela's believes that they offer a lot of value and they back everything up. Cabela's has trademarked the term "Legendary Customer Service," and it is deeply embedded in their culture. The customer IS always right as far as they are concerned.

 

[Cherokee140]

I always figured they jumped into tractors due to the food plot connection to hunters.

If Jim and Dick still ran the company I would have said yes. Now it is only about money. I think I would know I worked there before the company went public as well as after. And to say they had changes would be a HUGE understatement.

Rest assured this tractor business will last about as long as the cabin business did.....then do the same thing....fade away slowly.

It is only about the quick buck, and not the kind of buck you would think about when talking Cabelas. It is a real shame that place was great to work for at one time.

 

[Cherokee140]

I always figured they jumped into tractors due to the food plot connection to hunters.

If Jim and Dick still ran the company I would have said yes. Now it is only about money. I think I would know I worked there before the company went public as well as after. And to say they had changes would be a HUGE understatement.

Rest assured this tractor business will last about as long as the cabin business did.....then do the same thing....fade away slowly.

It is only about the quick buck, and not the kind of buck you would think about when talking Cabelas. It is a real shame that place was great to work for at one time.

 

[TomSeller]

If Jim and Dick still ran the company I would have said yes. Now it is only about money. I think I would know I worked there before the company went public as well as after. And to say they had changes would be a HUGE understatement.

Rest assured this tractor business will last about as long as the cabin business did.....then do the same thing....fade away slowly.

It is only about the quick buck, and not the kind of buck you would think about when talking Cabelas. It is a real shame that place was great to work for at one time.

Well it sounds like you would know. I don't shop there but I sure have got the impression I was in Walmart the few times I was in one.

 

[Cherokee140]

I loved....LOVED working there at the start. It was good. Customer service was stressed.....everyone no matter your position you did customer service. And staffing.....you did not have to wait. They staffed it up so the customer did not have to wait....now hour plus wait times are common. You are at Walmart when you go to cabelas....even the quality of the goods has gone down in some cases.

 

[lilranch2001]

I will be honest with you
I get tired of hearing people complain about big business, especially big American business.

Why don't ya'll moan and groan about Ford, GM, Chrysler, Kubota, Deere, Microsoft, Apple and whomever else?
Once apon a time they were all back yard businesses

At least these guys are still IN business, sometimes you take a different direction, change is bound to happen.

So they went public? From what I understand, that is the basis of your complaint.

They start buying in large volumes and open more and more stores.

At that point are they going to have the same level of customer service? Are they going to be the same operation they were 10, 20, 30 years ago?
The answer is NO

Even my small town grocery store that is not associated to a huge chain sometimes lacks customer service..

Blame you and me for wanting cheaper and cheaper prices for the same quality of item.

If you do not like a store or a business any longer, vote with your wallet and go somewhere else..

I do not mean to pick on you particularly Cherokee, but it seems ( and it may be just me) but I seem to have recollection of multiple, multiple posts on this thread of you having basically the same complaint.

We get it, its not the same family type store you worked at 5, 10, 15, 20 years ago.

And as much as Cabela's has grown in that time I doubt most of us would expect them to be like our corner bait store

Done with Rant
Regards