Dealer dealer reaction to quote

[JohnMiller3]

No dealer wants any “good” customer to walk away empty handed… Everyone has different operating costs/overhead and this is split across the board for all customers to share… you just don’t want to be the sole customer to pay this months mortgage… that’s all… /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

It appears, you had good feelings at one time towards this dealer to buy your first tractor from… and obviously you somewhat feel the same by going back and trying for a second purchase… but sometimes the obvious is not so obvious… (in other words… tell him why you came back)

After getting all your real quotes from your dealer list… sit down, figure an average savings… hopefully this local dealer should be in the middle somewhere… just playing the odds game should give you that much…

When you’re absolutely ready to buy, go back to this local dealer one last time… With figures in hand, tell him you’re ready to sign the papers… ask him if he would like to sell you your “next” tractor as he sold you the first… /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Tell him you enjoyed doing business with him and you’d love to continue doing business and once again ask “what’s the best “we” can do on this unit?”…

You’ve already showed him the first quotes… I don’t see any need for him to disbelieve you at this point… see how close he can come in price and the other benefits others have mentioned… as a last resort tell him you’re willing to compromise if he would also… I’m sure you can come up with a package deal that’s equitable for all…

Only you know what your “comfort level” is…

If you can’t strike up a deal… shake his hand, smile and leave on good terms… don’t slam any doors behind ya…

Good luck… /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[drcollie]

I too, live in No. VA and shopped all the local (and not so local) dealers before buying my BX22 from Byrd Tractor in Manassas, VA. I found swings in price from $ 200 to $ 1,000, but in the end decided that they were competitive enough with the second closest price AND they were my local dealer.

I'm glad I went with them. They know I could have saved a few hundred by going to a dealer a bit further away, but they've more than made it up to be with superlative customer service. I'm talking FREE delivery on a flatbed, together with all the filters and hydro fluids I needed for the 50 hour change presented to me in a bag the day of delivery. And when I go down there like I did last week due to the well-known issues of melted mower deck wheels, they simply handed me two and said "don't worry about it" together with some extra hitch pins I needed.

If I want to try out an implement before I buy it.....no problem, borrow one and test it out to see if it works. If my tractor is down for service (it hasn't been), I can get a free loaner if I need one as well - all I have to do is ask.

The customer service thing goes a real long way after the purchase price has been taken care of , the check written, and the bill long forgotten.

If I were to go and buy another Kubota today, I wouldn't even shop another dealer - I'd go right back to them again without hesitation as long as I knew they were ballpark in the price.

That's the real secret of how you build your customer base by the way - not just on price alone.

-Duane C.

 

[DarrenP]

I read lots of posts about the wonderful relationships formed with dealers. That would be great, BUT if your local dealer won't even consider matching a deal - especially to the tune of $1500 - he doen't value your past relationship at all! If he's that inflexible on price, don't fool yourself into thinking great deals on equipment, etc. will be forthcoming. Kubotas generally have few problems and you can buy lots of $1.29 linch pins and plastic mower wheels for $1500. I shop price.

 

[drpepper]

DarrenP, I agree with you whole heartdly. Where I live, the dealers are few and very far between. The closest dealer is 70 miles away. I ended up purchasing 250 miles from here. I know of the horror stories of this kind of transaction. I have had no problems whatsoever. After all, it is a Kubota purchased new. I counted on doing all the maintainence where ever I purchased. I saved over $2000 by going this route. That is quite a bit of money for me that can best be put to other uses. In the end, do what gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside. If the peace of mind is worth the extra expense, go for it!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

John,
What is your definition of a good customer ?
I assume someone that is not beligerant and obnoxious when they have a problem,or negotiating a deal?(which I agree with)

 

[k8ny]

Hello NH,
I also live in the No VA, tri state area and I think I know both dealers you are referring to. I went through the same drill when I was in the process of purchasing mine.
Chose your out-of-state dealer, he was much, much less expensive and has, so far, treated me more than fairly, coming to my home a few times on minor warranty work.

These big dealers in NO VA have gotten a bit independent and aloof since all the IT yuppies have moved in and are buying tractors.

Sometimes the little guy will go the extra mile for the sale, in my case it was saving 2800 dollars and a promise of good service that swung me. I have also referred 3 other folks to this dealer and they have purchased from him as well, the savings were just too big to pass up.

Bob

 

[bigpete]

Just adding to the original question/thought of a "good' customer. From a business perspective a "good" customer has brought, or will bring, monetary transactions to your business from either their own purchases or from personal references. The simple measurement of a good customer can come from future business transactions, all profit, personality and behavioral issues aside. Behavior as a component of being a good customer does have its limitation and guidelines, however.

 

[JohnMiller3]

Hi Scott,

Well simply put… “good” as in what “good” means… /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

In other words, certainly not bad… but being up and positive, honorable, sincere and genuine… and treating someone the way you would want to be treated…

Obviously, it goes hand-in-hand… a “good” dealer as well… /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

John I agree totally.Thats what I thought you meant...

 

[theboman]

Lots of things can cause higher prices. Crossing state lines no matter how close or far a part can cause price swings from dealer to dealer.
Freight. They maybe 2 miles apart but they may have to get their tractors from different regions regardless which is closest. Taxes. Labor to assemble tractors. Volume pricing. The list goes on and on.
When I got my 'Bota I checked local, then 30 miles away. The 30 miles away quote was a lot lower and took that quote to the local dealer and he beat the first quote.
Both dealers had said the tractor for XXXXX and anything else at dealer cost. The local dealers MMM cost was $50-100 less than the other.
Lots of factors decide prices. Dollars are important to us all, however service, honest realtionships are important too.
I know I made the correct choice by buying local, and it my case it was the lower priced route.