Corriher Imp.

[sweettractors]

<font color="blue"> Business is constantly changing.... all businesses. What was a great profit center 5 years ago may not be there tommorow. Think about the .com collapse </font>

Yes, You are right--The collapse has already began in the Equip. business--Counting the small "wanabe" dealers selling out of thier garage to all the big majors and all in between, I have seen over 50 dealers go out of business in central Ky alone. Most of these were not willing to change with the times or he could not anticipate the direction his customer base was moving toward.--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *Now 2 locations to better serve our customers needs*

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I think Ken Sweet is making an exellent point that change is a never ending event.

I would like to also point out in my early post on this thread that I got a bid from Corrihers but bought local . . . I would have gladly purchased the tractor from Corrihers had there been a reasonable price advantage. And I have purchased implements from them. The tractor came from a local dealer, and he was not just competing with Corriher, but he was competing with other local dealers. My practice is NOT to give tell you what I got from who, it is to ask for the best price you can give. You quote, I take it or leave it, or I may simply say . . . TRY AGAIN. I told my local guy to try again, he did. Another local guy, who I have purchased 3 tractors from would not lower his price at all. He lost. So I didn't disclose the Corriher price.

Yesterday I bought a new Volvo SUV for my wife. I contacted 4 dealers over the internet. One did not respond. One responded with a high price. Two responded with low prices. I told all of the UP FRONT, that I did NOT want to haggle. I told them I wanted specific things on the vehicle, and that I did not want some of the silly stuff like the $2000 DVD based electronic map. Each had the opportunity to give me a price. Each was asked if it was the best they could do. Neither knew the other's price, or who the other dealer was. The dealer who was out of range called back today and said he'd lower his price, it was still not as low as the other 2. When it was all over, the wife got a shiny new Volvo XC-90 T6 with lots of goodies, and it was only after the check was dropped off at the winning dealer that the other dealers found out the final price.

My point is, I don't believe in using someone like Corriher's as a wedge to beat down the local guy. If the local guy wants to deal, he will. If he doesn't, then the new business model that Corriher's and some others follow will drive SOME of the local guys out of business. Corrihers sells a lot of tractors and implements because they don't screw around.

Corriher's lists there prices for all to see. If the local dealers are smart (and some of them are) then they will know what the market will bear. I think a local dealer can get a price that is about $750 to $1000 higher than Corriher's price. It costs about $600 to ship a tractor (if I recall correctly) and I would be willing to pay some premium for local service . . . perhaps $250 to $400. But I won't pay $750 above Corriher's price + the shipping cost.

Businesses have to wise up. There is VALUE to local service, but I won't pay in blood.

 

[Bird]

Sounds like you do it more like I do, Bob. Before I bought my first Kubota, I visited 4 Kubota dealers within 65 miles of home and told each of them that I was just shopping for the future; wasn't going to buy anything until I sold a motorhome I had. I visited with them, talked about tractors, attachments, and implements, and got brochures. Then when I was ready to buy I called three of them (I eliminated the closest one to me based on his attitude, as well as his reputation with some of my neighbors), told them exactly what I wanted, and asked each what was the best deal they could give me. I didn't even tell them I was checking with other dealers. And the guy who offered the best deal sold me a tractor the next day.

 

[Stonefox]

Mahlers, I agree. I also liked how when I called them that they listened to what I wanted and didn't try to sell me other things. No pressure and easy to talk to. They seemed to want to help you. I was wondering which tractor you got from them? When are they shipping it out? I was told that my tractor was going out yesterday and I should expect it probably thur,fri,or sat.. They said there were two other tractors on the load. One going to Missouri, mine, then another one farther west. Could it be yours?
Rich

 

[mahlers]

I think it might just be mine. Does yours have a New Holland backhoe on it? When Gela sent me the shipping pictures, the tractor right behind mine on the truck had a backhoe on it. I'm expecting it sometime early next week.

 

[Stonefox]

When I talked to Gela on Wed. she said mine was one of the first to be delivered off the truck. Maybe there is one between ours? Would there have been a TC40D with 16LA and boxblade in that picture somewhere? I'm expecting it to arrive today sometime. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
rich

 

[Stonefox]

Argh! I just got a call from the shipper saying they are running behind schedule. He is still in Georgia and says mine will be delivered on Mon. a.m.. Its the first to come off the truck. Then another tractor delivered in Arizona and finally a tractor going to California. It could be yours. Could you post a picture of the truck? I gots to see my baby Boomer.
rich.

 

[dstell]

Hey all,

I have a little perspective on this since I just got back into the office after buying a tractor from Corriher (TC33D w/ 7308 FEL). I also live with an hour of Corriher, so they are semi-local to me.

I went to see my local dealer and he quoted me a price that was ~$2500 more than the price that Corriher had on their website.

I just bought it from Corriher and didn't even give the local guy a chance to match it. The local guy wrote down his quote on a piece of paper. That was his shot at my business and he blew it. Either he figured I was too lazy to find out that Corriher would sell it for less or he figured I wouldn't be comfortable buying a tractor over the phone.

Also, why not reward Corriher for not screwing around and giving a good price? On top of that, they provide a service to the shoppers who wonder "what do these tractors cost?".

The only caveats I'd give about dealing with Corriher: You should know what you're shopping for. I did a lot of homework so that I knew I could look at the specs for the tractor we were talking about and know that it was what I wanted and that nothing was being left out.

Dean

 

[mahlers]

I tried to post a picture, but for some reason I can't get it to work right. You can't see much of the tractor behind mine, anyway. About all you can see is the backhoe...

If you ask Gela, she'll send you the pictures. But, since you're getting it on Monday anyway, the tractor will probably be there before the picture. Have fun with it!