Dealers..Do you NOT make money selling attachments

Indydirtfarmer · Feb 25, 2005

Over the years, I've seen all sorts of dealers. They come and they go. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif The GOOD ones stay and prosper /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Most "main-line dealers" make their living off of "THE BIG SALE"... That $75000 AG tractor. Or a combine every now and then. Maybe a 24 row planter... They could care less about the $50 mark-up on a 5' box scraper. (unless it's going to one of their "combine buyers") It shows in the way they do business. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Then there are the Ken Sweets of the tractor world. In the past few weeks, I have come to appreciate just how good of a dealer this guy is. He's spent hours working with me on something that he (at one point) wasn't even going to be selling to me. He just wanted to help. For his troubles, I'm going to buy my seeder from him. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Find yourself a dealer like Ken. (Heck, just call him! He ships) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I know that most dealers probably see 20 "lookers" for every 1 buyer, but when you first walk on the lot, they don't know that you aren't there to buy 'em out of inventory! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

ByronBob · Feb 25, 2005

This type of scenario makes ALL dealers look bad, when the truth isn't that way. It just seems you haven't found the right dealers yet.

Keep trying and you'll find a good one with some effort. Of the dealers who chime in here I believe you get an honest answer wether you like it or not. You need to respect them for it anyway.

thcri · Feb 25, 2005

Guess it comes down to a good dealer. Wow, when I went in and asked for a price on my Herd Seeder my dealer told me he never heard of one but said let's look in my book. He found it from a nearby distributor, called the distributor up to get an up to date price, gave me my price and said I have a guy that will be at the distributor later today. I can pick it up for you and there would be no charge on freight. I told him to get it.

Dealer Dealer Dealer, makes so much about buying, more so than color.

murph

This was not a very expensive item but yet he dropped everything he was doing when I walked in the door.

Ledgemere Farm · Feb 25, 2005

Personally, I don't like a salesman to come running right out while I am looking at stuff: autos tractors, refrigerators, whatever. The attachment prices are what they are. Do you walk into the supermarket and dicker over the price of bananas? My best advice is to decide upon the implement you want and then call a bunch of dealers for the best price.
As far as delivery, I don't know of any dealer that will deliver implements for free, regardless of color. Sorry to sound harsh, but that's just the way it is. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

GATC35 · Feb 25, 2005

Thanks for all the good insight guys ! I realize there are always two sides to a story. The thing that frustrates me is not even a mile from the AGCO dealer there is a guy selling trailers (utility, dump, car haulers, etc.) When you drive on his lot someone will greet you with a smile and ask if you need assistance. He is always willing to negociate on a sale. He may tell you he can't come off of the trailer price, but he will throw in a ball, spare tire or something else to consumate the deal. I have bought 4 different trailers from the guy in the last 5 years. He service is excellent. When I bought my 20 ft equipment trailer 2 years ago I had a problem with the electrical wiring. When I took the trailer back to him he replaced the complete wiring harness no questions asked. I have sent him 4 guys from work who have bought trailers from him. Also I sent one guy from this website to him who purchased a trailer. So why can't I find someone like this selling implements ? I'm not asking for anything free, or at a huge discounted price. I would just like someone who would put some effort into the sell.

Thanks again guys ! Gotta run ! Phone just rang with a problem at a rental house. The joy of being a landlord. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Ledgemere Farm · Feb 25, 2005

I know there are some crummy, underhanded dealers out there, but the good ones stay. People who are jerks to their customers don't tend to stay in business for long.
My brother has a quote that I like: "I may be dumb, but I am not dumb enough to come back here if you are going to treat me like !@#$". /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jmc · Feb 25, 2005

Mark,

When I shop for implements other than basic rotary cutters, box blades, etc. I start out on the net, read up on their products, and find out who the local dealer is. Pretty often a vist or call to that dealer is a disappointment in that they barely know they "carry" that line much less stock it or even answer questions about it. But they are happy to order it at probably full list plus freight. I don't know why those manufacturers don't set up direct sales fed by the net. Repesentation like that is not worth the markup the mfgrs are paying.

John

HayDR · Feb 25, 2005

If a manufacturer sets up direct marketing then unless they have a technology advantage the servicing dealers in that industry will be against that MFG. Every product needs a certain level of service and parts support. Lets face it boxblades are sold by auction yards are $5-10 over cost, even to the point TBN posters say they have to paint them when they get them home. Dealers have no interest in stocking implements they will lose money on. Even this is no reason to be disrespectful to a customer. A dealer should tell them where to go if they do not stock a certain implement. If you want NO after the sale support then go to the fleet stores. If you want service go to the local dealer.

jmc · Feb 25, 2005

So apparently those manufacturers do have some good dealers who earn their keep. If all their dealers were like the ones I've seen, they wouldn't even notice the direct distribution.

bandit67 · Feb 25, 2005

( Personally, I don't like a salesman to come running right out while I am looking at stuff: autos tractors, refrigerators, whatever. )

Well, any good salesman should at least come out while you're looking around and ask if you have any questions, and although I don't like the vulture-type salesmen, I expect them to at least ask me if I need any help - sometimes I do and sometimes I don't, but they don't know that until they come out and check in with me.

( The attachment prices are what they are. Do you walk into the supermarket and dicker over the price of bananas?)

No offense, but that is a pretty poor analogy. Pricing and sales of bananas and tractor implements are two completely different animals.

( My best advice is to decide upon the implement you want and then call a bunch of dealers for the best price.)

And how do you decide on an implement if you've never seen any of them in person? Many people like to go take a look at what they're planning on buying and put their hands on it, and there's no reason they shouldn't be able to do that on account of a lousy dealer.

I have come across a lot of salespeople that I don't like. But I've also come across a fair share of very good salespeople. What the original poster talked about are two examples of poor salesmanship. That doesn't mean he should have to purchase everything off of the internet, because a good local dealer can be invaluable and a pleasure to do business with.