Dealer is really poor sport!

proudestmonkey · May 24, 2006

Thank you. You get my point. "Rather not" was not "no," which given his tone, also really seemed to mean, "if it were someone else, we might, but in your case, we don't want to." I can't say for certain that's what he meant, but his whole demeanor was cool, from the moment I walked in. That never changed. I had hoped that, if I showed him I was still interested in giving them my other business (implements, supplies, hardware, and service), we could re-establish a good relationship.

proudestmonkey · May 24, 2006

Thank you. You get my point. "Rather not" was not "no," which given his tone, also really seemed to mean, "if it were someone else, we might, but in your case, we don't want to." I can't say for certain that's what he meant, but his whole demeanor was cool, from the moment I walked in. That never changed. I had hoped that, if I showed him I was still interested in giving them my other business (implements, supplies, hardware, and service), we could re-establish a good relationship.

proudestmonkey · May 24, 2006

OB1, good points. This is kind of the reverse, where the sales guy has essentially taken away business from the service department, in all likelihood because he lost a few hundred dollars in commissions.

Just now, it occurs to me that when I was trying to negotiate a price on one of their tractors (an Agco ST22), he was about $1,200 more than Kubota. I asked him if he could match Kubota. He said, "well, I am hoping you'd be willing to pay a few hundred extra to have your dealer right next door." I said, kind of jokingly, well, since I'll be mowing my large lawn almost right across the street, maybe you'd be willing to give me a deal, kind of like free advertising for the next 10 years. He didn't think that was funny.

So, maybe they don't want to work on my Kubota because I am the guy who is almost right across the street. Who knows.

Like I said to the other post. I wasn't pissed, didn't go on about it. I accepted his attitude as unfortunate, responded to it, and left.

proudestmonkey · May 24, 2006

OB1, good points. This is kind of the reverse, where the sales guy has essentially taken away business from the service department, in all likelihood because he lost a few hundred dollars in commissions.

Just now, it occurs to me that when I was trying to negotiate a price on one of their tractors (an Agco ST22), he was about $1,200 more than Kubota. I asked him if he could match Kubota. He said, "well, I am hoping you'd be willing to pay a few hundred extra to have your dealer right next door." I said, kind of jokingly, well, since I'll be mowing my large lawn almost right across the street, maybe you'd be willing to give me a deal, kind of like free advertising for the next 10 years. He didn't think that was funny.

So, maybe they don't want to work on my Kubota because I am the guy who is almost right across the street. Who knows.

Like I said to the other post. I wasn't pissed, didn't go on about it. I accepted his attitude as unfortunate, responded to it, and left.

MarkV · May 25, 2006

You know, I might not make up my mind on this one just yet. Think I would walk into the owner’s office and tell him that the salesman left you feeling like his dealership didn’t want to deal with you. Let him know that normally that would be enough for you to go somewhere else but being neighbors you wanted to make sure it was not a misunderstanding and that he felt the same way as the salesman. If he blows you off you can explain that you’re disappointed because he was your first choice for a dealer but he didn’t have what you needed, in your price range at the time you needed it. If the owner has a different attitude than the salesman you can just say that misunderstanding happen and you look forward to supporting his business in the future.

At least you would have taken the upper road and tried to support a neighbor plus the convenience of a next door tractor dealer. (my wife would hate that) Best case would be the salesman spoke out of turn and the owner would be somewhat embarrassed setting you up for better than normal service in the future. Worst case he feels the same as the salesman and you,ve called him on it in a way it would be hard for him to speak badly of you.

Either way it goes tell him you hoped we can still be good neighbors.

MarkV

MarkV · May 25, 2006

You know, I might not make up my mind on this one just yet. Think I would walk into the owner’s office and tell him that the salesman left you feeling like his dealership didn’t want to deal with you. Let him know that normally that would be enough for you to go somewhere else but being neighbors you wanted to make sure it was not a misunderstanding and that he felt the same way as the salesman. If he blows you off you can explain that you’re disappointed because he was your first choice for a dealer but he didn’t have what you needed, in your price range at the time you needed it. If the owner has a different attitude than the salesman you can just say that misunderstanding happen and you look forward to supporting his business in the future.

At least you would have taken the upper road and tried to support a neighbor plus the convenience of a next door tractor dealer. (my wife would hate that) Best case would be the salesman spoke out of turn and the owner would be somewhat embarrassed setting you up for better than normal service in the future. Worst case he feels the same as the salesman and you,ve called him on it in a way it would be hard for him to speak badly of you.

Either way it goes tell him you hoped we can still be good neighbors.

MarkV

aesanders · May 25, 2006

Excellent suggestion MarkV. Won't hurt at all to give them a second chance.

aesanders · May 25, 2006

Excellent suggestion MarkV. Won't hurt at all to give them a second chance.

RobJ · May 25, 2006

( What I got was simply dissapointing, seemed kind of petty, and a little rude.
)

This quote is what i don't understand...but I just erased all my comments on that to address something else.

Remember don't get mad at the salesman unless he is the owner. Yes he represents the dealer, but there is 1 maybe 2 people there that are making the deals, just like a huge car dealership with 25 salesman. 1 guy in the booth is making the deals unless the owner walks in.

So contact the owner and see what he says.

RobJ · May 25, 2006

( What I got was simply dissapointing, seemed kind of petty, and a little rude.
)

This quote is what i don't understand...but I just erased all my comments on that to address something else.

Remember don't get mad at the salesman unless he is the owner. Yes he represents the dealer, but there is 1 maybe 2 people there that are making the deals, just like a huge car dealership with 25 salesman. 1 guy in the booth is making the deals unless the owner walks in.

So contact the owner and see what he says.