Dealer loyalty...

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I have a Kubota store just half a mile down the road. It's a third generation family store with the current owner's father still working there and his twenty-something son (and likely fourth generation) there, too. Each and all of them are just incredibly nice people.

A little history here... I intended to buy a Kubota to begin with and couldn't because of the way their HST pedal made me hold my surgically rebuilt knee. I then hoped to buy something used from them but came across what sounded to me like a good deal on a used Deere through a relative of an acquaintance. I even called them to ask about it and they told me to buy it and if I didn't, they would. They also told me they could do whatever service work I wanted and have been very generous with their time on general questions I've had over time. Quite frankly, I feel like I owe them.

I'm hoping to get another tractor toy soon and if I don't build it myself I've narrowed my choice down to a couple suppliers, neither or which my these guys normally handle. I went and asked them to check and see what they might be able to do with them and they are checking it out for me.

I'd emailed one manufacturer only to get a response the day after I spoke with my dealer (a Kubota store) telling me that they sold exclusively through Deere dealers. I asked what they suggested if I didn't want to deal with my local Deere dealer and they suggested they could have a dealer local to them "sell" the product and they (the manufacturer) would ship direct.

While I thought this was a nice option for them to offer I still wanted to buy from my dealer (again, Kubota). When I explained that they agreed to sell the Deere 'exclusive' to my Kubota dealer. I never even asked anyone what the price would be either way. I like my Kubota guys right down the road and want to buy something from them. If I spend an extra few bucks to do so, that's fine with me. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[chrisjbell]

Ah, I'm the same way. I bought from a local outfit back when and they are also a family owned and operated business. At the point I needed a lawn tractor we shopped around and while we could have probably gotten a better price we chose to buy from the "known factor" (they've always been fair, have loaned me equipment a couple of times, and we try hard to support our local businesses).

I'm told I could get better prices from a different dealer that is down in another county, but I don't really want to change and try someone new. I know what these folks will deliver and they'll keep my business.

 

[MarkV]

Gary,
Mind if I ask what "toy" you have in mind. Guess I am thinking that if it isn't too much of a specialty item the line of implements the Kubota guy carries must have something comparable.

MarkV

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> I like my Kubota guys right down the road and want to buy something from them. If I spend an extra few bucks to do so, that's fine with me.
</font>

Gary,

There are similarities between the feeling you have expressed in you post and how I feel/felt in as expressed in the thread regarding sending a fax to my dealer...I think you are a good man.

I really like my dealer. But since I gave him a couple good sales, the second one without even trying to bargain on price, it is hard for me to want to give him more for something that I can get from another "relatively small" dealer down the road $80 or $100 (or more) cheaper.

The manager of the Kubota shop and the owner of that shop and a blue store are good guys in my opinion. And while I want to support them...in the end I decided to shop around and give them priority only if they are close in price.

This spring I felt more like you and bought a Rhino post hole digger with a couple augers and paid their asking price without comparing anywhere. Because I wanted to support them.

It is great to give business to someone you like. Even if they charge more...sort of like giving a birthday present. One just wants to give sometimes for whatever reason.

We have this big old willow that I fear behind our home. Yesterday a friend of my son-in-law, who takes trees down for a living, came by and gave me a quote to take it down. Now he is doing it as a favor and gave a really fair price: $400. I thought about it and said "Tell you what. How about if I pay you $500. I think $500 is a fair price. Maybe you could work a little slower and safer if you get a few extra bucks..." I guess I'm trying to say I'm not a total cheapskate... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I have not priced the job with anyone else and don't intend to. I would have paid the guy more if he felt more was needed. Can't hurt to help a kid who has his first child on the way... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

One contrast between our dealers is that when I wanted to buy a First Choice box blade like you did last year, I asked my dealer if he would get it for me. He refused. Said they only sell from manufactures that have been around for a while and from who they can expect to get parts in the future if needed. Ended up not getting the FC box. Then my dealer could not get a Woods unit for me in time, and in the end I bought a KK box blade from TSC...

Sounds like your neighborhood Kubota dealer REALLY wants to work for his coutomers! Good for you for rewarding him!

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color="blue"> if it isn't too much of a specialty item... the Kubota guy... must have something comparable </font>

As I said, the Kubota folks are checking their suppliers for similar products. The manufacturer who emailed me back isn't one of those.

Unfortunately, their product is an "exclusively through your John Deere dealer" item that the manufacturer agreed to sell to my Kubota guy for me at my specific request.

That's also why I can't say what it is at this point. It wouldn't be right for me to do so as it could conceivably come back to harm the manufacturer's arrangement/agreement with Deere. I hope you understand. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Bill,

First, let me say that this thread was not intended to be a backhanded reply to yours. I had read yours and thought of trying to tell this story there but it really wasn't at all analogous so, hence, this thread. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I'd have to say the major difference between our situations is that the only thing I've EVER bought at the Kubota store is a few cans of Pepsi from the vending machine. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

As I said in the original post here, it wasn't for lack of trying on the tractor purchase. It just didn't work out. I had to kind of grimace when I read, <font color="blue"> "Sounds like your neighborhood Kubota dealer REALLY wants to work for his customers!" </font> All I could think was, "Yeah! If only I were one of them." /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I guess I'm kind of funny as a buyer sometimes. I bought Pieter's company's box blade literally sight unseen based solely on his and Jim's posts here and correspondence with them (and, because I like each of them, I feel bad about their 'falling out').

I have gotten some stuff at TSC I'm sure I could have gotten for less by shopping online because their manager is just a great gal. I guess I buy a lot of times based on 'who' as much as 'what' and 'how much.'

 

[chrisjbell]

<font color="blue"> the only thing I've EVER bought at the Kubota store is a few cans of Pepsi from the vending machine </font>

See, there's your problem. My Kubota dealer's machine sells Cokes, far superior /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif...

 

[s1120]

<font color="red"> I have gotten some stuff at TSC I'm sure I could have gotten for less by shopping online because their manager is just a great gal. I guess I buy a lot of times based on 'who' as much as 'what' and 'how much.'

</font>

Thats a big thing in my book. Now if there is a HUGE difference thats different, but $100 on something big, or a buck or two on the small stuff, it's worth it.

I can also relate from the other side of the counter. I work at a new car dealer.[parts] I have seen people that buy all there cars there, get most service there, get some things pushed through on out of waranty service. On the same hand, we have had custermers, that bought somewere else, to save a $100, never get service there, come in a little out of warinty with a problem, and it like "sorry, that will be $1500 please" Is it fair? I say yes.

 

[OkeeDon]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> the only thing I've EVER bought at the Kubota store is a few cans of Pepsi from the vending machine </font>

See, there's your problem. My Kubota dealer's machine sells Cokes, far superior /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif... )</font>

Oops! Now, there's the beginning of a real flame war! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

(I drink nothing but Diet Pepsi)...

 

[bigpete]

At least we're not into the "Tastes great!....Less filling!" stage yet.

I posted a little about dealer loyalty in another thread, and am experiencing the limits of my loyalty as it relates to car dealers. At the risk of going into too many details about my situation, I am pretty loyal to Toyota and the dealer I have purchased my last two vehicles from. They have supported the vehicles after the sale, and made the sale comfortable and competitive to within a couple hundred of the two other Toyota dealers within a reasonable distance. Most of all, they are convenient to my place of employment and have a customer-oriented operation.

I'm currently trading (trying to trade) a 3-year-old Avalon for an identical vehicle just to move into a new warranty and new car. "My" dealer is almost $1,000 off on the price and has told me that is the best he can do. Apparently he has five other used Avalons on the lot and no new Avalons. Of course, this means his cost structure on the sale is different from the other more competitve dealer with the trim line I want and a slot in his used car inventory from which he can maximize his return on the trade.

My point here, is that it hurts me a little to go to another dealer, but I must. My loyalty has a quatifiable limit of a couple hundred $ and I have my doubts that we are going to get to within my limits. There's no bitterness here because I got to the bottom of the reasoning behind his price and understand he has a quatifiable limit to his loyalty to ME. Actually, I'm a little sad /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif that I will have to "work" a little harder if I have any issues with the vehicle after the sale. I'll get over it when I think of the money I was able to keep in my family coffers.